GIFT  OF 
FREDERIC   T.   BICL 


UNIVERSITY  FARM 


WOODWARD'S 


GRAPERIES 


AND 


ertktitopl 


GEO.  E.  &  F.  W.  WOODWARD, 


ARCHITECTS  &  HORTICULTURISTS. 


NEW  YORK: 
GEO.  E.  WOODWARD  &  CO.,  31  BROAD  STREET 

ORANGE  JUDD  COMPANY,  245  BROADWAY. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

LIBRARY 

COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 
DAVIS 


tutored  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  ISfi.i.   ty 

GEO.  E.  &  F.  W.  WOODWARD, 

la  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


PAGE. 

Introduction 7 

Position  of  Houses 17 

Forms  of  Houses 19 

H.'ating  by  Flues 22 

"       "    Steam 22 

"       "    Tanks 27 

"       "    Hot  \Vater  Pipes 33 

Construction,  &c 35 

Hot  Beds 39 

Cold  Pit 4-1 

P  'opagating  lions*** 46 


v  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 
DESIGN  No.  1. 

Propagating  House. 54 

DESIGN  No.  2. 


Propagating  House. 


DESIGN  No.  3. 
Propagating  House 61 

DESIGN  No.  4. 
Grapery  and  Forcing  House 64 

DESIGN  No.  5. 
Green-House 68 


DESIGN  No.  6. 
Green-House  and  Grapery 70 

DESIGN  No.  7. 
Cold  Grapery 73 

DESIGN  No.  8. 
Polyprosopic  Roof , 77 


DESIGN  No.  9. 
Green-House ...     81 


DKSIGN  No.  10. 
Cold  G  i  apery 85 


CONTENTS.  T 

PAGE. 

DESIGN  No.  11. 
Plant-IIouse 90 

DESIGN  No.  12. 
Cold  G  raperies  for  Ci  ty  Lots 94 


DESIGN  No.  13. 
Grapery 98 


DESIGN  No.  14. 
Hot  Grapery 102 


DESIGN  No.  15. 
Extensive  range  of  Horticultural  Buildings 105 


DESIGN  No.  16. 
Green-House Ill 


DESIGN  No.  17. 
"  Lean-to  "  Grapery  . ; 115 


DESIGN  No.  18. 
Green-House 119 


DESIGN  No.  19. 
Large  Range  of  Horticultural  Buildings 123 

DFSIGN  No.  20. 
Green-House  and  Grapery  combined 127 

Orchard  Houses 131 


WOODWARD'S 

and 


INT  RODUCTION. 

IT  is  less  than  twenty-five  years  since  the  first  cold 
Grapery  was  erected  on  the  Hudson.  Since  the  suc- 
cess of  the  culture  of  the  delicious  varieties  of  the 
oxotic  Grape  has  been  demonstrated,  the  number  of 
graperies  has  annually  increased,  and  during  the  last 
ten  years  in  a  very  rapid  ratio,  until  they  have  become 
recognized  as  possible  and  desirable,  among  those  even 
whose  circumstances  are  moderate  and  limited.  The 
newly-awakened  interest  in  this  branch  of  culture  is 
manifested  in  the  number  and  variety  of  books  and 
other  publications  on  this  subject,  the  space  devo- 
ted to  it  in  the  agricultural  and  horticultural 
journals,  and  especially  in  the  increased  number  of 
graperies  and  vineyards  which  have  been  erected  and 
planted  in  the  last  decade.  There  seems  to  be  a  general 
consciousness  of  the  fact  that,  in  the  struggle  for 
wealth  and  the  greed  for  wide  possessions,  as  well  as 


8  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

ID  the  inherent  difficulties  of  our  situation — thrown  as 
w  have  been  upon  a  new  and  vast  continent — we 
have  too  long  neglected  the  culture  of  the  Vine,  one 
of  the  most  ancient  and  useful  arts  of  life  ;  an  art 
which  has,  in  all  ages,  been  the  fruitful  source  of  com- 
fort and  luxury,  of  health  and  happiness,  to  the 
masses  of  mankind.  The  neglect  of  this  important 
and  beautiful  department  of  culture  is  the  more  re- 
markable, since  our  country  embraces  every  degree  of 
latitude,  and  every  variety  of  climate  and  soil  in  which 
lb.e  grape  is  known  to  flourish. 

It  having  been  demonstrated  by  years  of  experiment, 
resulting  in  every  case  in  utter  failure,  that  the  for- 
eign grape  cannot  be  successfully  grown  in  the  open 
air  in  the  United  States — the  States  of  the  Pacific  ex- 
cepted — we  are  obliged  to  confine  our  culture  to  glazed 
structures,  erected  for  the  purpose,  where  an  atmos- 
phere similar  to  the  vine-growing  regions  of  Europe 
can  be  maintained,  and  that  bane  of  the  foreign  grape, 
the  mildew,  avoided. 

The  culture  of  choice  foreign  grapes  under  glass  in 
this  country  dates  from  before  the  War  of  Independ- 
ence, from  which  time  to  this  the  beautiful  but  perish- 
able Chasselas,  the  delicious  Frontignac,  and  the 
luscious  Hamburg,  have  been,  here  and  there,  carefully 
cultivated  and  ripened.  But  these  efforts  have  been 
chiefly  confined  to  the  vicinity  of  large  cities,  and  the 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  9 

management  has  mainly  been  kept  in  the  hands  of 
foreign  gardeners,  who  have  imported  themselves  from 
the  vine  regions  of  Europe,  to  instruct  us  in  the  arts 
and  mysteries  of  grape-growing. 

That  many  of  these  are  men  of  great  practical  ex- 
perience in  the  art,  we  know  full  well ;  but,  however 
skillful  they  may  have  been  in  foreign  countries,  their 
success  in  our  climate  has  been  achieved  only  by  dis- 
carding many  of  their  preconceived  ideas,  and  adapting 
their  practice  to  agree  with  the  peculiarities  of  our 
climate.  When  the  public  shall  have  learned  that  the 
culture  of  grapes  under  glass  is  only  a  plain  and  sim- 
ple pursuit  or  pastime,  which  any  one  of  ordinary  ca- 
pacity can  comprehend  and  successfully  carry  out, 
then  we  shall  have  made  a  decided  and  important  ad- 
vance. 

The  American  people  are  rather  disposed  to  be  self- 
reliant,  and  we  may,  therefore,  safely  predict  that, 
when  we  take  hold,  in  real  earnest,  of  the  business  of 
grape  culture,  either  under  glass  or  in  the  open  air, 
\\v  shall  do  it  with  our  customary  determination  and 
(•Mi-rtry,  and  lhat  success  will  just  as  surely  follow  as 
it  has  in  other  cases  where  imported  ideas  have  been 
in. proved  upon  and  superseded.  We  have  shown,  we 
think,  in  other  fields  of  enterprise,  that  we  may  ven- 
ture to  rely  upon  native-born  talent,  ingenuity  and 
industry,  to  work  out  this  rroblem  also,  ;ii:d  that,  by 


10  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

a  practical  demonstration,  we  shall,  gradually  and 
surely,  reach  a  point  of  success  beyond  what  has  been 
attained  with  all  the  advantages  of  foreign  aid.  And 
this  success  will  be  equalled  by  the  simplicity  of  its 
methods.  Grape-growing  in  this  country  is  yet  in  its 
infancy,  and  as  respects  the  varieties  best  adapted  to 
our  soil  and  climate,  essentially  experimental.  As 
yet  it  has  attracted  any  considerable  attention  only  of 
the  more  intelligent  and  far-seeing  portion  of  our  pop- 
ulation, but  it  is  surely  beginning  to  command  the 
regard  and  study  of  the  larger  number  of  our  cultiva- 
tors, and  the  inevitable  result  will  be  that,  in  a  few 
years,  it  must  be  an  important  source  of  our  country's 
wealth. 

The  great  obstacles  among  us  to  grape-growing  un- 
der glass,  especially  to  persons  of  moderate  or  limited 
means,  are  the  first  cost  of  building,  planting,  &c.; 
and  the  necessity  of  regular  and  systematic  care  and 
attention  to  the  vines  which  must  be  given,  during  a 
short  season,  however,  in  order  to  insure  success.  To 
those  who  are  influenced  by  the  consideration  of  such 
obstacles  as  these,  it  may  be  said  that,  even  in  these 
times  of  hi^h  prices  for  all  descriptions  of  labor  and 
material — if  we  except,  perhaps,  brain-w^rk  and  in- 
tellectual material — complete  and  substantial  grape- 
houses  cm  be  erected  at  moderate  cost,  and  with 
roju-r  management  they  can  be  made  a  source  of  in- 


nORUCULTCilAL    BUILDINGS.  11 

come  and  profit.  As  to  the  care  and  attention  re- 
quired, and  the  regularity  of  the  periods  at  whi-  h 
they  must  he  bestowed,  at  the  risk  of  losing  the  crop, 
it  can  be  easily  demonstrated  that  these  attentions 
and  duties  can  be  perfectly  comprehended  and  under- 
stood by  several  members  of  the  family,  by  the  older 
children,  and  intelligent  servants,  so  as  to  be  overseen 
and  performed  by  one  or  another  in  the  absence  of  the 
person  to  whom  the  care  is  usually  confided.  More- 
over, when  one  becomes  interested  in  the  management 
of  a  grapery,  the  employment  gets  to  be  too  fascinat- 
ing to  allow  of  the  thought  of  restricted  action  or  irk- 
some labor.  It  soon  comes  to  be  regarded  as  a  delight- 

O  O 

ful  as  well  as  healthful  employment,  whose  duties  are 
simple,  and  easily  understood  and  performed. 

The  love  of  flowers  is  becoming  quite  a  passion  with 
many  at  the  present  day.  This  is  indicated  by  the 
multiplication  of  nurserymen,  and  the  rapid  increase 
of  their  sales.  Fifteen  years  ago  the  sales  of  flowering 
plants  were  confined  to  a  few  city  Florists  ;  now  the 
trade  has  become  so  extensive,  that  large  numbers  are 
grown  in  our  surrounding  suburban  towns,  to  meet 
the  demand,  which  at  particular  seasons,  as  the  Christ- 
inas and  Easter  holidays,  for  the  decoration  of  our 
churches  and  other  purposes,  reaches  proportions  that 
would  surprise  the  uninitiated.  One  cultivator  has 
stated  that  during  the  fall  of  1863  and  winter  of  1864 


12 

he  cut  and  sent  from  his  establishment,  230,OOC 
blooms  of  the  various  flowers  lie  cultivates,  and  he  is 
but  one  of  many  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  flowers 
for  the  bouquet  makers  of  New  York.  An  extensive 
grower  of  pot  plants,  from  information  carefully  gath- 
ered among  his  fellow  nurserymen,  estimates  that  the 
plant  trade  of  the  vicinity  of  New  York  reaches  nearly 
the  sum  of  $200,000  annually,  and  this  for  plants 
mainly  employed  as  "  bedding  plants,"  in  the  decora- 
tion of  gardens  and  city  yards,  leaving  entirely  out  of 
the  question,  those  for  winter  culture  at  windows  and 
in  green  houses,  as  well  as  the  immense  stock  of  the 
growers  themselves  to  supply  the  demand  for  cut 
flowers.  The  growing  taste  for  flowers  may  be  ob- 
served in.  the  constantly  increasing  demand  for  decora- 
tive purposes,  in  our  churches,  at  public  festivals,  and 
private  gatherings,  and  is  especially  apparent  in  the 
numerous  depots  for  their  sale  on  our  principal 
thoroughfares.  Much  of  this  is  due  to  the  general 
diffusion  of  Horticultural  literature,  unveiling  the 
masteries  of  plant  culture,  and  demonstrating  the 

simplicity  of  the  process. 

Small   green-houses    or  conservatories  attached  to 
dwellings  are  now  frequently  to  be  met  with  both  in 
city  and  country:   these  are  entered  from  some  one 
of  the  principal  rooms  of  the  house,  and  are   an  at 
tractive  feature  both  within  and  without. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  13 

The  pleasure  derived  from  such  a  source  is  a  con- 
stantly increasing  one,  which  can  oniy  be  estimated 
by  those  who  may  have  the  means  for  its  gratification. 
But  little  time  and  attention  is  needed,  which,  with  a 
proper  acquaintance  with  the  wants  of  the  various 
plants,  and  some  experience  in  their  cultivation 
(knowledge  easily  and  quickly  acquired  by  those  who 
have  a  genuine  love  for  it),  will  enable  us  at  any  time 
during  the  winter  season  to  enjoy  our  flowers,  send  a 
bouquet  to  a  friend,  or  make  use  of  them  in  adding  to 
the  attractions  of  home.  Such  glass  structures  would 
afford  pleasure  to  the  ladies  of  the  family,  in  their 
moments  of  leisure,  being  of  easy  access  from  the 
dwelling,  without  the  necessity  of  txposure  to  the 
outer  air,  which  would  prevent  visits  to  larger  build- 
ings, remote  from  the  house,  and  could  be  managed, 
with  occasional  assistance  in  potting  and  arrangement, 
wholly  by  them.  Designs  for  houses  of  the  above 
character  will  be  found  in  the  course  of  the  work,  as 
well  as  those  adapted  as  isolated  buildings,  to  grounds 
of  moderate  and  large  extent. 

In  the  construction  of  Horticultural  buildings,  the 
matter  of  economy  is  an  important  and  desirable  con- 
sideration with  many  persons.  But  it  should  be  un- 
derstood that  a  common,  low-priced  structure  is  not 
the  best  economy,  or  the  most  desirable  for  a  series 
of  years.  The  dilapidated  appearance  that  soon  over- 


J4  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

takes  cheap,  make- shift  constructions,  creates  an  im- 
pression that  cannot  be  pleasing  either  to  the  spectator 
or  the  proprietor.  It  is  an  excellent  rule,  that  what 
is  worth  doing  at  all,  is  worth  doing  well  ;  and  it  is 
just  as  applicable  to  horticultural  buildings  as  to  any 
undertaking  in  life.  Bough  hemlock  lumber,  rudely 
put  up  and  whitewashed,  would  be  a  cheap  mode  of 
construction,  which  might  be  tolerated  on  a  merely 
commercial  place,  but  would  illy  correspond  with 
neatly-kept  private  grounds,  however  humble  and  un- 
pretentious they  might  be.  The  plan  selected  may 
be  devoid  of  mere  ornament,  which  would  increase 
the  cost,  without  adding  to  the  capacity  or  useful- 
ness, but  the  proportions  should  be  satisfactory,  the 
arrangement  convenient,  the  materials  the  very  iu-st 
of  their  kind,  and  the  workmanship  well  and  faith- 
fully performed.  Bough  work,  open  joints,  ill-fitting 
ventilators,  ill-proportioned  plans  and  forms,  and  a 
general  tumble-down  appearance,  is  not  the  kind  of 
economy  we  should  recommend  to  our  readers  or  prac- 
tice on  our  own  place.  One  may  choose  between  wood 
and  masonry  for  the  foundation  walls  ;  between  the 
several  grades  and  sizes  of  glass  ;  between  elaborate 
finish  and  ornament,  and  plain  work  ;  in  the  matter 
of  the  varhus  modes  of  henting,  &c.  ;  but  whatever  is 
decided  upon,  let  the  plan  and  proportions  be  correct, 
and  the  matci  ia;s  m  1  work  of  good,  honest  description 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  15 

In  the  various  designs  which  we  present  our  readers 
in  this  volume,  nearly  all  of  which  have  been  erected 
under  our  superintendence,  and  are  now  in  operation, 
the  manner  of  construction  can  be  judiciously  econo- 
mical, or  it  may  be  elaborated  to  the  most  substantial 
and  ornamental  structures  of  the  class  to  which  they 
belong.  There  is  no  more  reason  for  making  these 
buildings  of  a  temporary  character,  than  there  is  for 
putting  up  our  barns  and  other  outbuildings  in  a  cheap 
and  unworkmanlike  manner.  The  enjoyment  of  a 
country  place  naturally  depends  very  much  on  its 
neat  and  tasteful  appearance,  the  completeness  of  all 
its  appointments,  the  order  and  good  taste  of  all  its 
arrangements.  And  although  we  do  not  advocate  ex- 
travagance, or  needless  cost  in  ornamentation,  which 
would  be  unsuitable  to  the  purpose  for  which  these 
stiucture.3  are  designed,  we  think  that  true  economy 
would  indicate  the  use  of  the  best  materials  and  work- 
manship requisite  for  substantial  and  permanent 
buildings.  Horticultural  buildings  are  not  intended 
for  a  few  years'  use  merely.  Their  profit,  and  the 
enjoyment  they  afford,  will  last  for  many  years,  and 
may  be  transmitted,  with  the  other  improvements  of 
the  country  seat,  as  substantial  and  attractive  appen- 
dages, indeed,  as  real  property,  worth  all  the  money 
they  cost,  to  the  future  proprietor. 

There  is  still  much  to  be  learned  in  the  matter  of 


16  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

i  xotic  grape-growing  in  this  country,  and,  in  fact,  in 
the  management  of  conservatories,  orchard  -  houses, 
and  all  descriptions  of  horticultural  buildings,  and  all 
classes  of  plants  cultivated  under  glass.  Whatever 
progress  may  have  been  made  abroad,  where  experi- 
ments are  carried  on  upon  a  large  and  costly  scale, 
and  often  with  eminent  success,  is  of  little  or  no  value 
to  the  American  horticulturist.  Our  climate  is  very 
different  in  its  character  and  conditions  from  that  of 
Europe,  and  especially  that  of  humid  England.  We 
have,  what  they  lack,  real  sunshine,  with  clear  skies. 
Under  the  English  methods  of  treatment,  our  graper- 
ies and  green-houses  would  speedily  be  ruined.  Nor 
are  we  willing  to  accept  as  final  and  conclusive  the 
present  best-known  methods  of  vine  culture.  If  there 
are  better  modes  of  managing  exotic  or  native  vines-, 
and  of  developing  the  whole  theory  of  grape  culture, 
we  shall  be  quite  sure  to  find  them  out  in  the  wide 
sweep  of  experiment  which  we  are  boldly  and  patiently 
undertaking  in  various  parts  of  the  country, 

We  do  not  propose,  in  our  present  work,  to  enter 
upon  the  investigation  and  discussion  of  .the  various 
theories  of  heat,  light,  color,  radiation,  &c.,  which 
properly  belong  to  scientific  treatises  on  these  subjects. 
We  intend  to  give  only  practical  examples  and  results, 
from  an  extensive  professional  experience,  with  nu- 
merous designs  and  plans  of  buildings,  most  of  which 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  17 

are  now  in  successful  operation,  with  the  expectation 
that  this  volume  will  contribute  not  only  to  the  gene- 
ral information  of  our  horticulturists,  and  of  gentle- 
men who  are  establishing  themselves  in  the  country, 
but  also  to  create  and  encourage  a  taste  for  this  kind 
of  culture  of  exotic  and  delicate  fruits,  as  well  as  the 
exquisite  but  tender  gems  of  the  floral  world.  When 
we  find  that  we  can  command,  at  comparatively  small 
cost  of  money  and  attention,  the  beautiful  and  lus- 
cious fruits  of  southern  and  tropical  climes — their 
rarest  and  choicest  flowers — the  most  delicious  grapes, 
the  finest  peaches,  nectarines,  and  apricots,  the  fig, 
and  the  pineapple,  if  we  will ;  and  that  we  can  com- 
mand these  in  abundance,  to  load  and  adorn  our  tables 
daily,  the  time  cannot  be  distant  when  horticultural 
buildings,  of  various  descriptions,  will  be  found  on  all 
our  country  places  or  attached  to  our  city  homes. 


POSITION  OF  HOUSES. 

FOR  lean-to  or  single-roofed  structures  used  as 
forcing- houses  for  grapes  or  other  fruits  or  plants,  a 
southern  aspect  is  generally  preferred.  Our  o«vu 
preference  would  be  a  position  facing  South-East,  on 
account  of  the  advantage  gained  from  the  morning 
sun,  which  is  so  favorable  to  the  health  and  growth 


18  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

of  all  descriptions  of  plants.  Although  an  hour  01 
two  of  the  evening  sun  might  be  lost  to  a  building  in 
this  position,  yet  the  rays  are  then  comparatively 
feeble,  and  this  loss  would  be  much  more  than  com- 
pensated by  the  more  genial  morning  light. 

Cold  Graperies,  with  span  roofs,  and  glazed  at  both 
ends,  are  better  placed  North  and  South, — that  is, 
with  the  ends  facing  these  points, — as  nearly  as  a  due 
regard  to  the  positions  of  other  buildings  in  the  vi- 
cinity, and  the  general  symmetry  and  apportionment 
of  the  grounds  will  permit.  Each  side  of  the  roof  will 
thus  receive  an  equal  amount  of  sun-light.  For  span- 
roofed  Green-houses  the  rule  is  not  so  arbitrary,  the 
glass  not  being  lined  with  foliage,  as  in  the  case  of 
graperies,  the  diffusion  of  light  would  not  be  materi- 
ally obstructed.  Under  some  circumstances,  Green- 
houses may  be  placed  east  and  west,  as  when  a  por- 
tion of  the  house  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  purposes  of 
propagation.  The  north  side  can  thus  be  advan- 
tageously used,  being  less  exposed  to  the  sun's  rays. 
Many  plants  requiring  partial  shade,  would  find  there, 
also,  the  most  favorable  conditions  for  their  cultivation. 

Green-houses  or  Conservatories  attached  to  dwell- 
ings, will  answer  in  almost  any  position  that  conve- 
nience may  require,  or  the  taste  suggest,  as  they  are 
generally  not  so  much  intended  for  the  growth  of 
plants  as  for  their  display  when  in  bloom.  The  SUD 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  19 

should  shine  upon  them,  however,  at  least  half  the 
day.  When  they  are  intended  for  the  growth  of 
plants,  then  the  more  sun-light  they  can  have  the 
better. 


FOKMS   OF  HOUSES. 

UNTIL  within  a  few  years  past,  the  straight-pitched 
roof,  both  single  and  double,  has  been  used  almost 
exclusively  in  the  construction  of  glass  houses.  That 
there  is  an  advantage  in  this  form  over  some  others, 
on  the  score  of  expense,  and  because  there  is  less  skill 
required  in  the  builder,  we  admit,  but  there  the  ad- 
vantage ends.  The  superiority  of  the  curvilinear 
form  is  now  beginning  to  be  very  generally  acknow- 
ledged, on  account  of  its  being  more  graceful  and 
pleasing  to  the  eye,  and  because  of  its  superior  adapt- 
ability to  the  growth  of  plants.  When  to  the  curved 
roof  is  added  the  further  improvement  of  circular  ends, 
as  illustrated  in  some  of  the  designs  furnished  in  this 
work,  we  have  secured  forms  of  houses  that  will  admit 
double  the  light  of  the  old-fashioned,  heavy  sliding 
sash  structures  which  were  built  twenty-five  years 


20  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

ago.  Happily  these  old  glass  houses  are  fast  falling 
into  decay,  and  but  few  new  ones  are  erected  on  their 
model. 

Curvilinear  roofs  possess  advantages  over  those  of  a 
straight  pitch  which  may  be  briefly  summed  up  as 
follows: 

1.  A  larger  run  of  roof  for  a  given  width  of  house, 
and  consequently,  more  and  better  diffusion  of  light. 

2.  A  greater   power  of  reflecting  the    sun's  rays, 
because  of  the  constantly  varying  angle  at  which  they 
strike  the  glass. 

3.  A  greater  amount  of  head  room  within  the  build- 
ing, without  the  necessity  of  high  parapet  walls,  or 
perpendicular  sides. 

4.  Greater  strength  of  the  roof,  enabling  it  to  resist 
pressure  from  accumulated  snows,  without  the  neces- 
sity of  supporting  columns   under  the  rafters,  which 
are  indispensible  under  a  straight  roof  of  considerable 
span,  to  prevent  its  settling  down,  and  the  opening  of 
joints  in  glass  and  wood  work,  admitting  the  cold  air 
from  without. 

A  good  proportion  for  a  grapery  or  conservatory,  is 
twenty  feet  in  width  by  fiftv  feet  in  length.  We 
think  the  width  should  never  be  much  less  where  the 
roof  is  of  double  pitch.  Single  pitched  houses  should 
not  exceed  sixteen  feet  in  width. 


HORTICULTURAL  BUILDINGS.          21 

Mistakes  are  frequently  made  in  the  erection  of 
structures  for  the  growth  of  plants  which,  notwith- 
standing all  the  skill  and  art  of  experienced  gardeners, 
render  it  impossible  to  arrive  at  satisfactory  results. 
One  of  the  most  common  of  these  is  the  excessive 
height  of  the  roof.  Men  of  experience  in  the  construc- 
tion and  use  of  glass  houses,  have  satisfied  themselves 
that  the  lowest  elevation  which  the  uses  and  purposes 
of  the  huilding  will  admit,  is  the  best.  The  differ- 
ence in  temperature  between  the  floor  and  roof  of  a 
house  twenty  feet  in  height,  will  vary  from  ten  to 
fifteen  degrees.  It  is  obviously  desirable  that  there 
should  be  as  little  difference  as  possible  in  the  tem- 
perature of  the  air  on  the  ground,  among  the  lower 
parts  of  the  plants,  and  in  the  upper  regions  of  the 
house.  The  nearer  we  can  approach  an  equilibrium, 
the  better  sucsess  will  attend  our  efforts.  Nursery- 
men generally,  and  sometimes  other  cultivators, 
understand  this,  and  they  build  their  plant  houses 
with  roofs  of  low  pitch,  affording  scarcely  room  to 
stand  upright  within  them.  Their  plants  are  thus 
brought  near  the  glass,  and  they  grow  stocky  and 
firm,  presenting  quite  a  different  appearance  from  the 
attenuated  specimens  frequently  met  with  in  private 
establishments. 


22  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

HEATING. 

THE  proper  heating  of  Horticultural  building8! 
being  an  important  feature  in  their  general  manage- 
ment, and  an  essential  condition  of  their  success,  we 
shall  consider  the  subject  at  some  length,  availing 
ourselves  of  the  practical  experience  of  others,  as  well 
as  of  the  knowledge  we  have  acquired  in  our  own 
experiments  and  practice. 

Hot  air  stoves  have  been  so  generally  condemned 
and  discarded  as  a  means  of  heating  glass  structures, 
that  we  shall  not  discuss  their  faults  or  merits,  but 
confine  ourselves  to  heating  by  flues,  steam,  and  hot 
water  in  pipes  and  tanks. 

FLUES. — Flues  have  been  generally  used  in  heating 
for  many  years,  and  although  the  method  is  rude, 
imperfect  and  unsatisfactory,  they  possess  certain 
advantages  on  the  score  of  economy,  which  will  pre- 
vent their  total  supercedure  until  some  equally  cheap 
and  effective  method  shall  be  found,  to  take  their 
place.  It  cannot  be  questioned  that  houses  of  mod- 
erate extent  can  be  heated  at  much  less  expense  for 
the  original  cost  of  apparatus  by  the  flue  system  than 
by  any  other  now  before  the  public.  Flues  have  the 
advantage  over  steam  or  hot  water  in  their  power  to 
generate  hnat  and  supply  it  to  the  green  or  hot  house 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  23 

in  a  very  short  space  of  time,  and  with  this  apparatus, 
the  fires  may  be  allowed  to  go  out  on  mild  and  bright 
days  in  winter,  with  the  certainty  that  heat  can  be 
easily  and  quickly  commanded  at  nightfall.  Steam 
cannot  be  generated  quickly,  and  the  hot  water  ap- 
paratus requires  considerable  time  to  get  into  full 
operation,  with  the  usual  amount  of  fuel. 

Among  the  serious  objections  to  the  use  of  flues,  is 
the  unequal  distribution  of  heat  throughout  the  house; 
the  parts  near  the  furnace  being  overheated,  while 
at  the  chimney  it  is  scarcely  warm.  This  difficulty 
can  be  partially  obviated  by  the  use  of  materials  in 
the  construction  of  the  flues,  of  different  thicknesses, 
—  being  made  thick  and  heavy  at  the  furnace,  and 
gradually  becoming  thinner  and  lighter  as  it  extends 
towards  the  chimney.  Again,  flues  generally  require 
more  fuel  than  a  hot  water  apparatus,  and  moreover, 
they  are  unsightly  in  an  ornamental  house,  and  with 
the  best  care  in  their  construction  and  management, 
they  do  not  give  entirely  satisfactory  results. 

Earthenware  drain-pipe  is  frequently  employed  for 
flues,  and  when  care  is  taken  to  prevent  their  cracking 
by  the  excessive  heat  near  the  furnace,  they  answer 
the  purpose  very  well.  When  properly  secured  at 
their  joints  they  prevent  the  escape  of  gaseous  matter 
more  perfectly  than  brick  flues. 

Flues   should  be  elevated  a  few  inches   above  the 


24  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

floor,  and  supported  by  bricks,  to  allow  all  the  radiat- 
ing surface  to  act  upon  the  atmosphere  of  the  house, 
and  should  have,  in  order  to  secure  sufficient  draft,  a 
gradual  rise  through  their  whole  length  from  the 
furnace  to  the  entrance  into  the  chimney. 

The  furnace  should  be  built  inside  the  house  at  one 
end,  with  the  fire  and  ash-pit  doors  opening  into  a 
shed  outside,  to  prevent  any  escape  of  gas  into  the 
house  while  replenishing  the  fire.  It  will  be  neces- 
sary to  place  the  furnace  low  enough  to  allow  a  proper 
rise  to  the  flue.  If  the  flue  be  made  to  rise  im- 
mediately from  the  furnace  about  one  foot,  it  may 
then  be  carried  fifty  feet,  with  a  rise  of  not  more  than 
six  inches,  and  the  draft  will  then  be  sufficient. 

The  dimensions  of  the  flue  may  vary  from  8  to  12 
inches  in  width,  and  from  VI  to  18  inches  in  height, 
according  to  the  space  required  to  be  heated.  The 
usual  mode  of  construction,  when  bricks  are  used,  is 
to  lay  them  crosswise  and  flat  for  the  bottom  and  top, 
and  to  set  them  edgewise  for  the  sides.  Tiles  for  the 
bottom  and  covering  are  an  improvement  upon  bricks; 
being  thinner,  the  heat  passes  through  them  more 
readily,  while  they  still  retain  the  heat  sufficiently  ti> 
equalize  the  temperature.  Tiles  used  for  the  top 
covering  are  sometimes  made  with  circular  depressions 
for  holding  water  for  evaporation. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  25 

STEAM. — The  employment  of  steam  for  heating 
green  houses,  graperies,  &c.,  is  almost  entirely  super- 
ceded  by  the  hot  water  method.  It  will,  therefore,  be 
necessary  only  to  allude  briefly  to  this  part  of  our 
subject.  It  occasionally  happens  that  a  conservatory 
attached  to  a  dwelling  is  heated  by  the  same  steam 
apparatus  employed  to  heat  the  latter,  but  we  believe 
that  a  person  who  should  advocate,  at  the  present  day, 
the  general  adoption  of  steam  as  a  means  of  heating 
horticultural  structures,  would  be  regarded  as  belong- 
ing to  a  generation  which  has  now  passed  away. 

Steam  travels  through  pipes  with  great  rapidity, 
and  parting  with  its  heat  rapidly,  it  becomes  quickly 
condensed,  unless  the  boiler  is  of  large  capacity  and 
capable  of  furnishing  a  full  supply.  It  is,  at  best, 
an  unsatisfactory  mode  of  heating  plant  houses,  for 
if  from  any  cause  the  water  in  the  boiler  is  reduced 
below  the  boiling  point,  the  steam  in  the  pipes  is 
instantly  condensed,  and  with  it  all  heat,  except 
that  remaining  in  the  iron  of  the  pipes,  and  the 
condensed  steam,  is  withdrawn. 

Hood,  an  English  author  on  heating,  quoted  by 
Mclntosh  in  his  valuable  work  the  "Book  of  the  Gar- 
den/7 thus  compares  the  merits  of  steam  and  hot 
water.  "  The  weight  of  steam  at  the  temperature  of 
212°  compared  with  the  weight  of  water  at  212°,  is 

about  as  1  to  KJ94,  so  that  a  pipe  that  is  filled  with 

2 


26  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

water  at  212°,  contains  1G94  times  as  much  matter 
as  one  of  equal  size  filled  with  steam.  If  the  source 
of  heat  be  withdrawn  from  the  steam  pipes,  the 
temperature  will  soon  fall  below  212°  and  the  steam 
immediately  in  contact  with  the  pipes  will  condense: 
but  in  condensing,  the  steam  pans  with  its  latent  heat 
and  this  heat  in  passing  from  the  latent  to  the  sensi- 
ble state,  will  again  raise  the  temperature  of  pipes. 
But  as  soon  as  they  are  a  second  time  cooled  down 
below  212°  a  further  portion  of  steam  will  condense, 
and  a  further  quantity  of  latent  heat  will  pass  into 
the-  state  of  heat  of  temperature,  and  so  on  until  the 
whole  quantity  of  latent  heat  has  been  abstracted  and 
the  whole  of  the  steam  condensed,  in  which  state  it 
will  possess  just  as  much  heating  power  as  a  similai 
bulk  of  water  at  the  like  temperature;  that  is,  the 
same  as  a  quantity  c/f  water  occupying  1— 1694th  part 
of  the  space  that  the  steam  originally  did. 

By  experiments  made  by  the  above  authority,  it 
has  been  proved  that  a  given  bulk  of  steam  will  lose 
as  much  of  its  heat  in  one  minute  as  the  same  bulk 
of  hot  water  would  in  three  hours  and  three  quarters. 
And  further  admitting  that  tne  heat  of  cast  iron  is 
nearly  the  same  as  that  of  water,  if  two  pipes  of  the 
the  same  calibre  and  thickness  he  tilled,  the  one  with 
water  and  the  other  with  steam  each  at  212°  of  tem- 
perature, the  former  will  contain  4.68  times  as  much 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  27 

heat  as  the  latter;  therefore  if  the  steam  pipe  cools 
down  to  60°  in  one  hour,  the  water  pipe  will  take 
four  hours  and  a  half  to  cool  down  to  the  same  point. 
In  a  hot  water  apparatus  we  have  in  addition  to  the 
above,  the  heat  from  the  water  in  the  boiler,  and  of 
the  heated  material  in  and  about  the  furnace,  which 
continues  to  give  out  heat  for  a  long  time  after  the 
fire  is  totally  extinguished;  whereas  in  a  steam  ap- 
paratus, under  the  same  circumstances  we  have  no 
source  of  heat  except  the  pipes  by  which  it  is  convey- 
ed— giving  an  advantage  in  favor  of  hot  water  over 
steam  as  regards  its  power  of  heating  hot  houses,  and 
maintaining  heat  after  the  fire  ceased  to  burn,  in  near- 
ly the  proportion  of  1  to  7 — that  is,  hot  water  will 
circulate  from  six  to  eight  times  longer  than  steam 
under  the  above  circumstances." 

TANKS. — This  mode  of  heating  horticultural  build- 
ings has  been  used  in  England  for  some  years,  and 
has,  of  late,  obtained  considerable  popularity  in  this 
country;  mainly,  however,  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing bottom  heat.  The  tank  method  is  more  steady 
and  reliable  in  its  operations  in  this  respect,  than 
heating  by  flues  or  pipes,  but  even  its  most  strenous 
advocates  must  admit  that  for  atmospheric  heat  hot 
water  pipes  or  flues  must  be  employed  in  some  shape 
or  other,  where  the  tanks  are  covered  with  earth  or 


28  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

sand  beds  for  propagating  purposes.  With  slate  or 
metalic  covering  they  are  sometimes  used  solely  for 
atmospheric  heat,  and  are  found  to  answer  well  But 
if  tanks  are  constructed  of  substantial  and  enduring 
materials,  they  possess  little  if  any  advantage,  on  the 
score  of  expense,  over  hot  water  pipes,  while  they 
occupy  much  more  room  and  are  unsightly  objects  in 
a  well  ordered  green-house. 

Wooden  tanks  are  frequently  used  where  the  heat 
is  required  to  rise  perpendicularly  from  them.  If 
constructed  of  good  pine  plank,  well  put  together 
with  white  lead,  and  thoroughly  painted  inside  and 
out,  they  will  last  for  several  years.  Scarcely  any 
heat  will  be  radiated  from  the  sides  and  bottom  of  a 
wooden  tank.  Tanks  of  brick  and  cement  would 
answer  better  than  those  made  of  wood,  if  it  were 
possible  to  make  them  water-tight  when  supported  by 
piers  above  the  ground,  as  they  are  usually  built. 
But  however  carefully  constructed,  these  materials 
are  so  unyielding  to  the  expansion  and  contraction 
they  are  subjected  to,  that  it  is  nearly  impossible  to 
prevent  leakage  for  any  length  of  time.  A  large 
number  of  brick  and  cement  tanks  have  come  under 
our  notice,  and  we  cannot  call  to  mind  a  single  one  of 
them  all  that  has  not  been  a  continual  source  of  vexa- 
tion and  expense  to  its  owner,  since  its  first  con- 
struction. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  29 

The  principle  objections  to  tank  heating,  as  usually 
employed,  are  an  excess  of  bottom  heat  and  a  defi- 
ciency of  atmospheric  heat,  with  a  superabundance  of 
moisture  when  the  vapor  from  the  tank  is  not 
properly  excluded  from  the  house.  Tanks  should  be 
covered  with  some  good  radiating  material,  as  slate  or 
metal.  If  slate  is  employed,  the  joints  should  be 
cart-fully  and  effectually  cemented.  Boards  are  some- 
times used  as  a  covering,  but  their  radiating  power  is 
slight,  and  their  decay  rapid. 

Soil  or  sand,  to  the  depth  of  six  to  ten  inches,  is 
usually  placed  upon  the  tanks,  and  used  as  a  plung- 
ing bed  for  pots  containing  cuttings;  or  the  cuttings 
are  sometimes  inserted  in  the  bed  itself. 

Any  arrangement  by  which  vapor  from  the  tanks 
is  admitted  to  the  roots  of  plants  is  to  be  avoided, 
for  however  desirable  a  moist  bottom  heat  may  be,  it 
is  found  from  experience  that  the  soil  is  frequently 
rendered  a  mass  of  puddle,  in  which  no  living  roots 
can  exist. 

A  portion  of  the  covering  of  the  tank  may  be  made 
moveable  to  allow  moisture  to  escape  into  the  house 
when  required. 

By  means  of  the  tank,  bottom  heat  for  propagating 
or  other  purposes,  can  be  very  steadily  and  uniformly 
maintained,  more  so  than  by  other  modes,  and  the 
changes  of  temperature  of  the  outer  air  do  not  ma- 


30  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

terially  affect  it.  But  the  case  is  different  with  regard 
to  the  air  of  the  house,  which  is  frequently  reduced 
below  the  freezing  point,  in  severe  weather.  If  the 
bottom  heat  is  of  the  required  temperature,  any 
attempt  to  counteract  the  coldness  of  the  air  of  the 
house  by  increasing  the  fire,  would  produce  an  in- 
jurious excess  of  bottom  heat.  It  is  evident  that 
while  the  required  supply  of  heat  for  the  bottom  is 
uniform,  and  that  for  the  top  exceedingly  irregular, 
both  objects  cannot  be  properly  secured  except  by  a 
separate  supply  of  heat  for  each.  For  these  reasons 
we  would  employ  a  hot  water  pipe  or  pipes,  passing 
around  the  house,  on  the  same  level  with  the  tanks, 
supplied  with  a  valve  to  regulate  the  heat  at  pleasure, 
or  a  brick  smoke  flue  constructed  in  the  usual  manner. 
Tanks  are  usually  divided  in  the  centre,  thus  form- 
ing channels  for  the  flow  and  return  circulation  side 
by  side,  equalizing  the  temperature  throughout  their 
whole  length.  This  form  is  sometimes  departed  from 
by  carrying  the  tank  around  the  house,  and  connect- 
ing each  end  with  the  boiler,  but  in  this  case,  except 
in  small  houses,  a  uniform  temperature  cannot  be 
maintained,  as  the  water  will  have  lost  several  degrees 
of  heat  before  it  has  accomplished  its  circuit.  Another 
arrangement  is  to  connect  the  remote  end  of  the  tank 
by  an  iron  pipe  for  the  return  circulation,  passing 
under  the  tank  the  whole  distance  to  the  boiler.  This 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  31 

is  not  as  perfect  and  effective  an  arrangement  of  pipes 
and  tanks  as  that  before  referred  to,  as  in  this  case 
we  do  not  have  the  heat  from  the  pipe  under  control. 

A  writer  in  a  late  number  of  the  "Gardeners' 
Monthly,"  gives  the  following  description  of  tanks 
erected  by  him  to  obviate  excessive  moisture  and 
radiate  a  portion  of  their  heat  into  the  atmosphere  of 
the  house. 

"  In  the  winter  of  1863-4,  I  finished  two  span-roof 
houses,  each  60  feet  in  lengtn,  with  water  tanks  three 
feet  in  width,  running  entirely  around  on  both  skies 
of  each  house,  and  heated  by  a  single  furnace.  The 
tanks  were  made  with  wooden  bottoms  and  sides,  and 
covered  wilh  slate  carefully  cemented.  My  design 
was  to  heat  the  houses  entirely  by  the  tanks,  by  far 
the  larger  portion  of  the  heat  being  given  off  from  the 
slate  covering,  and  as  a  bottom  heat  for  plants.  As 
I  understand  the  variuus  writers  upon  this  subject, 
this  is  the  approved  plan.  But  I  have  found  consider- 
able difficulty,  and  have  been  obliged  to  modify  my 
plan  in  various  respects  : 

In  the  first  place,  wooden  tanks,  with  the  top  cov- 
ered with  sand,  will  not  give  off  heat  sufficiently  to 
keep  up  growth  in  houses  of  this  size  during  extreme- 
ly cold  weather.  By  protecting  the  houses  with  shut- 
f-crs,  this  difficulty  may  be  obviated.  Crowding  the 
fire,  and  raising  the  water  in  the  tanks  to  a  higb 


32  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

temperature,  is  a  more  objectionable  remedy.  In  this 
way  the  bottom  heat  is  too  strong.  But  my  most 
serious  difficulty  has  arisen  from  excessive  humidity. 
I  put  three  inches  of  sand  over  the  whole  slate  surface 
of  the  tanks,  using  a  part  for  cuttings,  and  the  rest, 
(say  100  running  feet  of  the  three  feet  wide  table), 
for  standing  pot  plants  upon  the  surface  of  the  sand. 
The  plants  dried  rapidly,  and  required  watering  every 
morning.  The  result  was,  that  in  watering  the  plants, 
and  of  course  the  sand  on  which  they  stood,  to  some 
extent,  it  was  like  pouring  water  upon  a  flue,  or  upon 
hot  pipes:  a  constant  steam  was  given  off;  all  the 
moisture  in  the  sand  was  rapidly  converted  into 
steam;  so,  also  the  water  in  the  pots  was  quickly 
expelled.  In  order  to  heat  the  house  sufficiently,  the 
bottom  heat  became  too  strong,  and  the  plants  were 
in  too  direct  contact  with  it.  In  cold  days  the  house 
was  in  a  perfect  fog.  It  was  ruinous  to  the  plants. 
The  remedy  was  simple:  more  heat  must  be  allowed 
to  escape  from  the  tank  into  the  house,  without  com- 
ing in  contact  with  the  sand-bed,  and  the  moist  earth 
of  the  plants.  Another  slate  floor  was  laid,  an  inch 
above  the  tank  slate,  on  which  to  put  the  sand  and 
stand  the  plants.  This  hot  air  chamber  opens  into 
the  house  on  the  back  and  front  side  of  the  tank. 
Thus  the  whole  radiating  surface  of  the  top  of  the 
tank  may  be  directed  into  the  house,  or  may  be  con- 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  33 

fined  as  "bottom  heat,  as  m  \y  be  found  necessary.  By 
this  plan,  excessive  humidity  may  be  entirely  obviated, 
and  the  heat  completely  controlled,  as  wanted." 

HOT  WATER  PIPES. — It  is  generally  conceded, 
among  practical  men,  that  the  circulation  of  hot 
water  in  iron  pipes  is  the  best  known  method  of  heat- 
ing plant  houses.  The  property  which  heated  water 
possesses  of  retaining  for  a  considerable  length  of  time 
its  heat  and  transmitting  it  to  the  pipes  at  long  distan- 
ces from  the  boiler,  renders  it  a  most  effective  agency 
for  such  purposes  :  A  perfect  control  of  the  moisture 
of  the  atmosphere,  by  means  of  evaporating  pans 
attached  to  the  pipes  ;  entire  freedom  from  deleterious 
gases,  sometimes  escaping  from  flues,  and  the  sub- 
stantial character  and  enduring  qualities  of  the  appa- 
ratus, are  important  considerations  in  favor  of  this 
method  of  heating  which  are  not  to  be  overlooked  or 
underrated. 

It  is  true  that  a  house  of  a  given  size  cannot  as  soon 
be  brought  to  the  required  temperature  after  the  fire 
is  first  lighted,  as  by  other  modes  of  heating,  but 
when  once  in  full  operation  greater  regularity  is 
maintained,  and  if  the  fire  should  by  any  neglect  go 
out,  heat  is  still  radiated,  often  for  several  hours, 
before  the  pipes  become  entirely  cold. 

For  heating  ornamental  houses  of  glass,  pipes  are 


34  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

also  to  be  recommended  on  account  of  the  little  room 
they  occupy  and  the  neatness  of  their  appearance  com- 
pared with  the  unsightly  flues  or  tank.  If  properly 
put  up,  the  pipes  never  leak  at  the  joints,  as  is  the 
case  frequently  with  tanks,  and  scarcely  need  any  re- 
pairs for  years.  The  first  cost  of  apparatus  for  heating 
by  hot  water  pipes  exceeds  that  of  the  other  methods 
which  we  have  named,  but  when  we  take  into  ac- 
count its  great  durability,  economy  of  fuel,  and  the 
satisfactory  results  produced  in  the  growth  of  plants 
in  houses  heated  in  this  manner,  it  must  be  evident 
that  this  method  is  the  cheapest  in  the  end. 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  the  heat  obtained 
from  steam  or  hot  water  pipes  necessarily  contains 
moisture.  For  those  who  have  had  any  experience  in 
the  use  of  these  methods  of  heating,  it  is  needless  to 
say  that  such  is  not  the  case.  To  obtain  moisture 
evaporation  of  water  in  some  manner  in  the  atmos- 
phere must  be  effected.  This  is  provided  for  by  attach- 
ing to  the  pipes  evaporating  pans  filled  with  water, 
by  which  the  moisture  can  be  perfectly  regulated  and 
controlled.  The  capacity  of  the  boiler  and  the  length 
of  the  pipes  should  be  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the 
house  to  be  heated,  bearing  in  mind  that  it  is  better 
to  have  a  reserve  of  heating  power  for  extraordinary 
occasions.  In  such  cases  economy  in  fuel  will  be 


TTT.AT.  BUILDINGS.  3.1 

secured,  a.s  the  fires  will  not  be  required  to  be  kept 
constantly  burning  brightly. 

Fault  is  sometimes  found  with  the  apparatus  when 
it  lies  entirely  with  the  proprietor  of  the  establish- 
ment^ who  in  his  short -sighted  economy,  has  restricted 
the  builder  in  the  amount  of  pipe  put  into  the  appa- 
ratus. 


CONSTRUCTION,  &c. 

THE  general  plan  of  Horticultural  structures  may 
be  as  perfect  as  possible,  but  if  the  details  are  not  well 
carried  out,  and  especially  if  the  workmanship  be  not 
good,  they  will  prove  a  source  of  never-ending  vexa- 
tion arid,  expense.  Insecure  foundations,  ill-fitting 
doors  and  ventilators,  imperfect  glazing,  and  inferior 
workmanship  of  every  description,  are  evils  that  skill- 
ful gardeners  have  to  contend  with,  and  upon  whom 
the  consequences  of  such  defects  usually  fall,  when 
they  should  be  placed  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  con- 
structor. 

Methods  for  building  cheap  Graperies  and  Green 
h->uses  have  often  been  described,  and  we  find  many 
of  these  imperfect  and  temporary  structures  scattered 
through  the  country.  Such  buildings  may  be  cheap 


36  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  ANL> 

as  respects  their  first  cost,  but  their  durability  is  a 
question  which  should  enter  into  the  calculations  of 
their  builders,  as  well  as  the  consideration  of  the 
original  outlay.  After  a  year  or  two  we  find  them 
with  open  joints,  leaky  roofs,  arid  decaying  founda- 
tions. The  inferior  and  temporary  character  of  mate- 
rials and  workmanship  is  often  a  source  of  serious  loss 
to  their  owners,  and  every  building  of  this  description 
demonstrates  the  mistaken  and  short-sighted  economy 
of  its  projector.  It  is  much  wiser  and  truer  ecomony 
to  expend  at  the  outset,  a  sufficient  amount  of  money 
and  care  to  make  the  structure  permanent,  and  to 
obviate  the  necessity  of  constant  repairs.  Experience 
has  taught  us  that  if  they  are  well  and  substantially 
built,  these  structures  will  endure  for  twenty  years 
with  very  few  repairs  except  an  occasional  coat  of 
paint.  It  need  not  be  demonstrated  that  the  profit 
and  gratification  to  be  derived  from  a  well-built 
house  far  exceed  those  accruing  from  a  cheap  and 
imperfect  one,  with  escapes  for  the  heat  in  winter, 
and  inlets  for  cold  air  and  driving  snow  and  rain. 

The  foundations  of  Horticultural  buildings  should 
be  of  stone  or  brick,  both  below  and  above  the  ground, 
if  they  are  to  be  of  a  permanent  character.  The 
superstructure  should  be  of  the  best  white  pine  and 
thoroughly  painted.  In  building  curvilinear  roofs 
the  rafters  and  sash  bars  should  be  sawed  out  in  pieces 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  37 

to  the  regular  curve.  The  rafters  being  put  together 
in  sections,  breaking  joints  are  thus  equally  strong 
throughout  their  length.  The  advantages  of  sawed 
bars  over  those  bent  in  the  usual  manner,  are  very 
great.  The  thrust  of  the  roof  is  but  slight,  and  the 
house  always  remains  in  shape.  With  the  bent  bars 
the  strain  is  enormous,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  settling 
of  such  houses  at  the  ridge,  and  expansion  at  the  sides, 
besides  the  liability  of  breaking  the  glass  by  the  con- 
stantly varying  strain  of  the  bars. 

Iron  has  been  frequently  and  strongly  recommended 
in  the  construction  of  horticultural  buildings.  It  has 
been  used,  with  very  satisfactory  results  in  England, 
and  doubtless  it  may  there  be  found  to  be  the  best 
and  most  economical  material  for  such  purposes.  It 
has  been  tried  also  in  this  country,  but  the  experi- 
ment has  not  resulted  so  favorably.  The  main  diffi- 
culty is  that,  in  this  climate,  the  expansion  and  con- 
traction of  the  iron  rafters  and  bars  are  so  great  that 
the  glass  is  continually  and  badly  breaking,  and  it  is 
very  difficult  to  keep  the  joints  tight  enough  to  re- 
pel the  rain  and  the  cold  air.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
that  in  this  country,  wood  is  a  better  material  than 
iron  for  these  purposes. 

Thick  and  double  thick  glass  has  heretofore  been 
used  almost  exclusively  for  first  class  houses,  but  the 
huh  price  of  glass  has  of  late,  cornpillfd  th..-  use  of  a 


38  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

thiner  article.  It  is  generally  believed  that  thick 
glass  will  resist  hail  storms  better  than  thin,  but  on 
this  question  practical  men  differ  in  their  opinions. 
It  is  contended,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  elasticity 
of  the  thin  panes  resist  a  blow  better  than  the  un- 
yielding thick  one,  also  that  the  latter  is  more  likely 
to  be  broken  by  the  accumulation  of  water  between 
the  laps  of  the  glass. 

We  have  found  that  the  8  by  10  size  of  single  thick 
French  window  glass,  second  or  third  quality,  is  suffi- 
ciently good  for  Horticultural  buildings,  and  we  do 
not  use  any  other,  unless  especially  called  for  by  the 
proprietor. 

Glazing  is  often  badly  executed,  half  an  inch  lap, 
and  sometimes  more,  being  often  allowed  to  the  o-lass, 
from  the  mistaken  idea  that  rain,  in  a  driving  storm, 
will  find  its  way  through.  A  lap  of  one-eight  of  an 
inch  is  amply  sufficient  in  any  case.  The  glass  should 
be  well  "bedded"  down  to  the  sash  bar,  in  putty  con- 
taining a  portion  of  white  lead,  and  well  secured  with 
small  iron  nails  or  glaziers  points.  All  putty  should 
be  removed  from  the  outside  when  the  work  is  finished, 
and  the  sash  bars  should  then  bo  painted  with  a  heavy 
coat  of  thick  paint  which  will  close  up  the  joints  and 
render  them  water  tight. 

Ample  ventilation  should  be  provided  both  at  the 
top  and  bottom  of  houses,  so  that  large  quantities  cf 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  39 

air  may  be  supplied  when  necessary,  as  in  ripening  the 
wood  of  vines  in  graperies,  and  in  "hardening  off" 
plants  in  green  houses  before  removal  to  the  open  air. 
By  reference  to  the  numerous  designs  given  in  this 
work,  the  manner  of  arranging  the  interior  details, 
such  as  shelving,  tables,  walks,  hot  water  pipes,  and 
the  general  features  of  construction  and  adaptation, 
will  be  understood. 


HOT-BEDS. 

THE  most  simple  form  of  Horticultural  structures, 
and  one  known  in  almost  every  garden,  is  the  Hot- 
bed. To  persons  of  experience  in  their  construction 
and  management,  we  cannot  hope  to  give  any  import- 
ant information,  but  having  seen  in  many  instances 
the  operations  ot  these  beds  imperfectly  performed,  we 
offer  a  few  simple  suggestions  and  directions  which 
will  be  of  advantage  to  the  novice. 

The  location  of  the  bed  should  be,  if  possible,  a 
sheltered  one,  especially  on  the  north  side,  while 
towards  the  east  and  south  it  should  be  open.  This 
shelter  or  protection  is  needed  chiefly  to  prevent  an 
undue  radiation  of  heat  from  the  glass,  and  the 
entrance  of  a  strong,  cold  current  of  air  when  the 


40  WOODWARD'S  GRAPEKIES  AND 

sashes  are  lifted  for  ventilation.  This  radiation  ia 
not  only  hurtful  to  the  plants  by  causing  sudden  and 
extreme  changes  of  temperature,  but,  if  allowed  to 
proceed  too  far,  will  cause  the  heat  of  the  bed  to 
"  run  out."  Let  the  shelter,  therefore,  be  as  thorough 
as  possible. 

We  have  found  the  south  side  of  a  barn,  or  a  tight 
board  fence  a  good  location.  The  barn  would  be  pre- 
ferable, on  account  of  its  proximity  to  the  materials 
that  furnish  the  source  of  heat — the  manure  pile. 

If  the  soil  is  wet,  or  of  a  heavy  nature,  it  would  be 
better  that  the  bed  be  made  entirely  upon  the  surface. 
If  the  situation  is  a  dry  one,  and  the  soil  gravelly  or 
sandy,  then  a  pit  may  be  excavated,  of  the  size  of  the 
intended  frame,  and  three  feet  in  depth.  A  hollow 
brick  wall  should  be  built  up  from  the  bottom,  six 
inches  above  the  surface,  if  it  is  intended  that  the  bed 
should  be  permanent  ;  otherwise  the  excavation  may 
be  lined  with  boards,  or  if  designed  for  only  a  season's 
use,  it  may  be  left  without  any  support.  Hot-beds 
made  under  ground  require  less  material,  are  more 
lasting  in  their  heat,  and  require  less  attention  than 
those  built  on  the  surface.  On  the  contrary,  should 
the  heat  fail  from  any  cause,  beds  built  up  on  the 
surface  possess  the  advantage  of  being  more  easily 
renewed  by  the  application  of  fresh  fermenting  mate- 
*5s th«-y  are  usually  termed. 


HORTICULTURAL   BUILDINGS.  41 

About  the  20th  of  February  is  early  enough,  in 
this  latitude,  to  gather  and  prepare  materials  for  the 
hot-bed.  Fresh  stable  manure  alone  may  be  used, 
though  preference  is  generally  given  to  a  mixture,  in 
equal  proportions,  of  manure  and  forest  leaves.  Place 
on  the  ground,  (under  a  shed  if  possible,)  a  layer  of 
leaves  one  foot  thick,  and  on  this  a  foot  of  manure, 
then  leaves  and  manure. alternately  until  th<?  required 
quantity  is  obtained.  Let  this  heap  remain  four  or 
five  days,  or  until  it  begins  to  heat,  then  turn  over 


FIG.  1. 

and  thoroughly  mix  the  leaves  and  manure  together, 
and  throw  them  up  into  a  compact,  conical  heap.  In 
four  or  five  days  more  your  materials  will  be  ready  for 
your  bed.  Mark  off  your  intended  site,  running  as 
nearly  east  and  west  as  practicable.  Your  frame 
should  be  about  six  feet  wide  and  of  any  required 
length.  The  manure  bed  should  extend  a  foot  out- 
side the  frame  on  the  sides  and  f  nds.  See  Figure  1, 
in  which  a  is  the  manure  heap. 


42  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

Build  up  the  manure  square  and  level,  shaking, 
mixing,  and  beating  it  with  the  back  of  the  fork,  to 
the  height  of  about  four  feet,  making  the  centre  some- 
what higher  than  the  sides,  t:>  allow  for  settling.  The 
frame  should  be  of  1£  inch  pine,  twenty  inches  high 
at  the  back,  aijd  seventeen  inches  in  front,  and  may 
be  put  together  with  hooks  and  staples,  so  as  to  be 
removed  and  stored,  when  not  in  use.  The  sashes 
should  be  six  by  three  and  a  half  feet,  and  the  frame 
should  have  cross-bars  at  every  sash  for  support.  It 
is  well  to  have  the  frame  divided  by  partitions  into 
two  or  three  compartments,  that  one  section  may 
receive  more  or  less  ventilation  as  the  plants  grown  in 
them  may  require.  In  three  or  four  days  the  heat 
will  be  up  in  the  bed,  and  then  it  should  be  covered 
with  six  inches  of  fine  garden  mould,  which  should  be 
raked  off  level.  When  the  soil  is  heated  through,  the 
seeds  may  be  sown.  Ventilation  should  be  given  to 
let  off  the  steam  and  vitiated  air,  but  with  caution  to 
avoid  the  loss  of  heat.  Straw  mats  will  be  required 
to  cover  the  sashes  at  night,  and  should  be  regularly 
put  on.  If  the  weather  is  very  cold,  shutters  or  boards 
in  addition  are  necessary.  If  care  is  exercised  in  the 
management,  the  heat  will  be  maintained  as  long  as 
is  desirable. 

Figure  2  represents  the  hot-bed  partly  beneath  the 
surface. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  4-3 

The  fiame  in  this  case  will  be  fifteen  inches  in  height 
at  the  back,  and  twelve  inches  in  front,  constructed 
in  the  same  manner  as  that  before  described.  The 
materials  and  the  general  preparation  of  the  bed  is 
also  the  same.  A  space  of  about  eight  inches  should 
be  left  between  the  surface  of  the  mould  and  the  glass, 
to  allow  for  the  growth  of  plants  before  the  sashes 
can  be  removed.  Coarse  litter  should  be  put  around 
the  frame,  and  up  even  with  the  top  of  it.  to  confine 
the  heat.  Beds  should  be  well  covered  before  the  sun 
has  iefV  them  in  the  afternoon,  and  not  opened  in  the 


FIG.  2. 


morning  until  the  sun  is  well  up  Seeds  of  vegetables 
for  early  planting,  and  those  of  annual  flowers  may  be 
sown,  and  cuttings  of  green-house  and  bedding  plants 
started  in  pots.  Such  a  bed  will  also  be  a  favorable 
place  for  the  propagation  of  grape  eyes,  in  which  an 
experienced  person  will  often  succeed  better  by  this 
humble  means,  than  with  the  best  designed  and  most 
conveniently  arranged  propagating  house 


44  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

THE  COLD  PIT. 

MANY  who  have  not  the  advantage  of  a  green- 
house, wish  to  preserve  over  the  winter  their  half- 
hardy  plants  which  have  ornamented  their  garden 
during  the  summer.  These  are  generally  consigned 
to  the  cellar  to  dry  up  and  be  forgotten.  In  the 
darkness  they  loose  their  leaves,  and  when  in  spring 
they  are  again  brought  to  light  many  are  dried  up  and 
dead.  Properly  constructed  cold  pits  offer  superior 
advantages  for  the  protection  of  many  plants  of  a  half- 
hardy  nature,  and  indeed  some  that  are  usually  con- 
sidered tender  here  find  a  congenial  location.  Such  a 
pit  should  be  permanent  in  its  character,  and  located 
in  a  spot  easy  of  access  to  the  house,  that  it  may 
receive  proper  attention  during  the  winter.  A  con- 
venient size,  and  one  sufficient  for  an  ordinary  garden 
would  be  ten  feet  long  by  five  wide,  varied  somewhat 
from  these  dimensions  to  suit  size  of  glass  in  sashes. 
The  pit  should  be  excavated  four  feet  and  a  half 
below  the  surface,  and  a  hollow  wall  of  brick  built  up 
to  one  foot  above  the  surface.  Six  inches  in  depth  of 
coarse  gravel  should  be  placed  in  the  bottom  on  which 
the  pots  containing  the  plants  rest.  Shelves  may  be 
also  placed  around  the  sides  for  the  smaller  plants. 
The  wall  above  the  ground  should  be  "banked  up" 
to  within  three  inches  of  the  top  and  sodded. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


45 


Double  sashes  we  have  found  give  great  protection 
and  save  attention  in  covering  the  pit.  The  bars  of 
these  sashes  are  "rabbited"  on  both  sides  and  double 
glazed,  thus  enclosing  a  stratum  of  air  affording  a  good 
non-conductor  of  heat  from  within,  or  cold  from  with- 
out the  pit.  The  plants  when  first  put  in  the  pit  will 
require  to  be  watered  and  the  sashes  opened  during 
the  dav,  until  cold  weather.  But  little  water  is 


FIG.  3.— Cold  Pit. 


required  during  winter,  as  the  plants  are  in  a  state 
of  rest,  and  partial  drynBss  at  the  roots  is  of  advan- 
tage. In  very  severe  weather  straw  mats  would  be 
required,  but  the  double  glass  would  keep  out  10  to 
15  degrees  of  frost.  Some  ventilation  must  be  given 
on  mild  days  when  the  sun  is  bright  to  carry  off  the 
dampness,  but  in  dull  cold  weather  all  should  be  kept 
closed  up.  Camellias  and  Azaleas  do  admirably  in 
such  quarters,  ;ind  can  lie  brought  into  the  dwelling 


46  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

and  flowered  at  any  time  during  the  winter.  Many 
plants  grow  with  surprising  luxuriance  after  remain- 
ing dormant  in  such  quarters  all  winter..  As  the 
season  advances  in  the  spring  ventilation  must  be 
given  during  the  day,  closing  the  sashes  at  night  until 
the  weather  becomes  mild  when  they  may  be  gradually 
removed  altogether. 


PKOPAGATING   HOUSES. 

CHEAP  and  effective  propagating  and  plant  houses, 
for  Nurserymen,  have  become  of  late  years  a  necessity 
from  the  great  increase  of  the  trade  in  flowering  plants 
for  the  decoration  of  our  gardens  and  green- bouses, 
and  the  very  extensive  demand  for  the  new  and 
superior  varieties  of  the  native  grape.  PETER  HEN- 
DERSON, Esq.,  of  Jersey  City,  long  known  as  an 
extensive  and  successful  propagator,  in  an  article 
written  for  the  HORTICULURIST,  thus  speaks  of  his 
house  and  management  : 

"After  many  years  of  extensive  practice,  I  have 
arrived  at  the  conclusion  that  cuttings  of  almost  every 
plant  cultivated  by  the  florist  or  nurseryman  will 
readily  and  uniformly  root,  if  the  proper  conditions  of 
TF.MPERATURE  and  MOISTURE  are  given  them.  It 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  47 

matters  little  or  nothing  how  the  cutting  is  made,  or 
what  may  bo  the  color  or  texture  of  the  sand  or  soil 
in  which  it  is  planted  ;  these  have  little  or  nothing  to 
do  with  the  formation  of  roots.  But  an  absolute 
condition  of  invariable  success  is  uniformity  of  tem- 
perature and  moisture.  To  attain  this  uniformity, 
the  structure  of  the  house  is  of  vital  importance  ;  and 
it  is  owing  to  the  erroneous  construction  of  buildings 
£>r  this  purpose  that  so  many  have  to  deplore  their 
want  of  success.  I  will  briefly  describe  the  construc- 
tion of  the  propagating  pit  we  have  in  use,  and  the 
manner  of  operations,  which  will  best  explain  iny 
views  on  the  matter.  The  pit,  which  faces  north,  is 
65  feet  in  length  by  8  in  width,  and  3  feet  high  at 
back  by  I  in  front,  the  pathway  being  dug  out  to  give 
head- room  in  walking.  The  front  bench  is  3  feet 
wide,  walk  2  feet,  and  back  bench  3  feet.  All  along 
the  front  bench  run  two  wooden  gutters  9  inches  wide 
by  3  inches  deep,  the  water  in  which  is  heated  by  a 
small  conical  boiler  connected  by  two  pieces  of  leaden 
pipe  to  the  gutters.  Three  inches  above  the  water  in 
the  gutters  is  placed  the  slate  or  flagging,  (resting  on 
cross  slats  of  wood,)  on  which  is  two  inches  of  sand. 
By  regular  living  we  keep  a  temperature  in  the  sand 
from  55  to  75°  ;  and  as  the  pit  has  no  other  means  of 
heating,  except  that  given  out  by  the  sand  in  the 
bench,  the  atmosphere  of  the  house  at  night  is  only 


48  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

from  40°  to  50°,  or  25  degrees  less  than  the  "bottom 
heat/'  In  the  daytime,  (in  order  as  much  as  possible 
to  keep  up  this  disparity  between  the  "top"  and 
"  bottom"  heat,)  a  little  air  is  given,  and  shading  the 
glass  resorted  to,  to  enable  us  to  keep  the  temperature 
of  the  house  down.  Arid  here  let  me  remark,  that 
when  propagation  is  attempted  in  green-houses  used 
for  growing  plants,  (such  houses  facing  south  or 
southeast,)  the  place  usually  used  for  the  cuttings  » 
the  front  table;  and  it  being  injurious  to  the  plants 
to  shade  the  whole  house,  that  part  over  the  cuttings 
alone  is  shaded;  the  consequence  is,  that  the  sun, 
acting  on  the  glass,  runs  the  temperature  of  the  house 
np,  perhaps,  to  80°,  or  above  that  of  the  bottom  heat, 
the  cuttings  wilt,  and  the  process  of  rooting  is  delayed, 
if  not  entirely  defeated.  All  gardeners  know  the 
difficulty  of  rooting  cuttings  as  warm  weather  comes 
on.  When  the  thermometer  marks  80°  in  the  shade 
fires  are  laid  aside;  and  if  the  rooting  of  cuttings  is 
attempted,  the  sand  or  soil  in  which  they  are  planted 
will  be  10  or  15  degrees  lower  than  the  atmosphere, 
or  the  opposite  of  the  condition  required  for  success. 
The  advantage  possessed  by  the  gutter  or  tank,  as 
a  means  of  bottom  heat,  over  smoke  flues  or  pipes,  is 
in  its  giving  a  uniform  moisture,  cuttings  scarcely 
ever  requiring  water  after  being  first  put  in,  and  then 
only  to  settle  the  sand  about  them.  Still,  when  this 


HORTICULTURAL   BUILDINGS.  49 

convenience  is  not  to  be  had,  very  good  success  may 
be  attained  by  closing  in  the  flue  or  pipes,  regularity 
in  watering,  and  a  rigid  adherence  to  these  degrees  of 
temperature. 

The  propagating  pit  above  described  is  used  for  the 
propagation  of  all  kinds  of  plants  grown  by  florists, 
such  as  Camellias,  Dahlias,  Hoses,  Verbenas,  Fuch- 
sias, Grape  Vines,  etc.  The  time  required  in  rooting 
cuttings  of  soft  or  young  wood  is  from  seven  to  ten 
days.  Last  season,  during  the  month  of  February, 
we  took  three  crops  of  cuttings  from  it,  numbering  in 
the  aggregate  forty  thousand  plants,  without  a  loss 
of  more  than  one  per  cent.  In  fact,  by  this  system 
we  are  now  so  confident  of  success,  that  only  the  num- 
ber of  cuttings  are  put  in  corresponding  with  the 
number  of  plants  wanted,  every  cutting  put  in  becom- 
ing a  plant. 

In  this  narrative  of  our  system  of  propagating,  Mr. 
Editor,  I  have  not  attempted  to  theorize.  I  give  the 
plain  statement  of  operations  as  we  practice  them, 
thoroughly  believing  that  the  want  of  success  in  every 
case  must  be  owing  to  a  deviation  from  these  rules. 
Ignoring  entirely  most  of  the  maxims  laid  down  in 
the  books,  such  as  "use  a  sharp  knife,"  and  "cut  at 
a  joint,"  we  use  scissors  mostly  in  lieu  of  a  knife,  and 
we  never  look  for  a  joint,  unless  it  happens  to  come 
in  the  way.  We  are  equally  skeptical  as  to  the 


50  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

merits  of  favorite  kinds  and  colors  of  sands  or  other 
compounds  used  for  the  purpose.  Of  this  we  have 
reason  to  be  thankful,  for  a  nicety  of  knowledge  in 
this  particular  in  the  head  of  a  scientific  (?)  pro- 
pagator may  sometimes  become  an  expensive  affair. 

A  friend  of  mine,  a  nurseryman  from  the  far  west, 
deeply  impressed  with  our  superior  horticultural 
attainments  in  the  Empire  City,  hired  a  propagator 
at  a  handsome  salary,  and  duly  installed  him  in  his 
green-house  department;  but,  alas  !  all  his  hopes 
were. blighted.  John  tailed — signally  failed — to  strike 
a  single  cutting;  and  on  looking  about  him  for  the 
cause,  quickly  discovered  that  the  fault  lay  entirely 
in  the  sand  !  but  my  gullible  friend,  to  leave  no  stone 
unturned,  freighted  at  once  two  tons  of  silver  sand 
from  New  York  to  Illinois  !  Need  I  tell  the  result, 
or  that  John  was  soon  returned  to  where  the  sand 
came  from  ?  " 

During  the  past  year,  Mr.  Henderson  has  erected 
an  extensive  range  of  houses,  after  the  following  de- 
scription and  plan  : 

"  I  have  read  and  examined  from  time  to  time,  with 
much  interest,  your  remarks  and  sketches  of  Plant 
Houses,  and  it  is  not  to  dissent  from  your  views  that 
I  now  write,  although  it  seems  to  me  that  your  ideas 
run  all  one  side  of  the  matter,  for  your  designs  and 
descriptions  are  almost  exclusively  of  an  ornamental 


HOKTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  51 

character,  and  adapted  only  for  conservatories  or 
graperies,  leaving  the  uuinitated  commercial  nursery- 
man or  florist  to  look  in  vain  for  something  to  suit  his 
case.  I  have  said  that  your  ideas  seem  to  be  one- 
sided, in  describing  only  ornamental  erections  ;  they 
seem  also  so  in  your  uniformly  recommending  the 
fixed  roof  principle.  Now,  for  the  purposed  of  the 
florist  or  nurseryman,  I  think  there  is  but  little  doubt 
that  the  advantage  is  with  the  sash  over  the  fixed 
roof.  The  difference  in  cost  is  trifling  ;  probably  a 
little  in  favor  of  the  fixed  roof;  but  balanced  against 
that  is,  that  your  house,  once  erected  on  your  favorite 
plan,  you  are  emphatically  "  fixed."  It  is  not  porta- 
ble, (unless  made  in  sections,  which  is  only  a  brtd  com- 
promise with  the  sash  plan,)  and  any  alteration  re- 
quiring to  be  made,  your  roof  is  of  but  little  or  no 
value.  But  the  most  serious  objection  to  it  is  the 
difficulty  with  air.  I  have  never  yet  seen  a  house 
built  on  the  fixed  roof  principle  that  had  means  of 
giving  air  so  that  plants  could  be  grown  in  a  proper 
manner,  and  I  could  name  dozens  who  have  been  in- 
duced to  build  on  this  plan,  that  one  year's  experince 
has  given  them  much  reason  to  regret. 

We  are  now  adopting  for  plant  houses,  low,  narrow, 
span-roofed  buildings,  formed  by  6  feet  sashes,  one  on 
each  side,  the  ends  of  the  houses  facing  north  and 
south.  These  we  attach  three  together,  on  the  "  ridge 


52 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  Aim 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  53 

and  furrow"  system,  as  shown  in  sketch.  This  system 
presents  great  advantages,  and,  by  using  no  cap  on  the 
ridge  piece,  air  is  given  in  the  simplest  and  safest 
manner,  by  the  sash  being  raised  by  an  iron  bar  9  or 
10  inches  long,  pierced  with  holes,  which  answers  the 
double  purpose  of  giving  air  and  securing  the  sash, 
when  closed,  from  being  blown  off  by  heavy  winds. 
There  is  no  necessity  for  the  sashes  being  hinged  at 
the  bottom,  as  might  be  supposed  ;  all  that  is  required 
being  to  nail  a  cleet  along  the  wall  plate,  fitted  tight 
to  the  bottom  of  each  sash.  Every  alternate  sash  is 
nailed  down  ;  the  other  is  used  in  giving  air  in  the 
manner  described. 

The  advantages  of  such  erections  are  so  obvious, 
that  I  need  not  trespass  much  on  your  space  to  enume- 
rate them.  The  plan  can  be  adapted  to  detached 
buildings  already  up,  by  erecting  houses  of  the  same 
length  alongside  ;  or,  in  the  erection  of  new  houses,  if 
not  more  than  one  is  wanted,  it  may  be  put  up  with 
a  view  to  further  extensions.  I  have  had  four  houses 
on  this  plan  in  operation  for  nearly  two  years,  and  I 
have  never  before  had  so  much  satisfaction  with  any 
thing  of  the  kind.  Intending  next  season  to  remove 
my  green-houses  from  their  present  site,  all  shall  be 
put  up  after  this  style." 

Messrs.  Parsons  &  Co.,  of  Flushing  have  also  built 
several  houses  similar  in  design  for  the  propagation  of 


54  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

grape  vines.  These  latter  are  heated  by  brick  flues 
and  have  proved  very  satisfactory.  The  vines  are 
grown  in  beds  and  not  staked.  Pot  culture  in  the 
usual  manner  would  require  greater  height  of  roof. 
The  only  objection  that  we  can  see  to  houses  built  in 
this  manner  is  the  accumulation  of  snow  in  the  far- 
rows. Mr.  Henderson  assures  us  that  this  is  not  an 
objection  of  any  moment  in  this  latitude,  and  that  the 
expense  attending  the  removal  of  snow  is  too  slight  to 
be  considered. 


DESIGN  No.  1. 

FIGURES  5  and  6  are  a  section  and  ground  plan 
of  a  propagating  house  for  growing  grape  viaes,  but 
it  might  serve  as  well  for  other  plants.  The  length 
of  the  house  is  on  an  east  and  west  line,  giving  a 
northern  exposure  to  the  roof  on  one  side,  the  opposite 
facing  the  south.  A  board  partition  runs  through  the 
centre  dividing  the  house  into  two.  This  partition 
might  be  made  movable,  so  that  at  any  time  the  house 
could  all  be  thrown  into  one.  The  foundations  are  of 
stone  projecting  6  inches  above  the  ground.  Two  and 
a  half  feet  of  vertical  boarding,  above  which  is  two 
feet  of  sash,  give  a  height  of  four  and  a  half  feet  above 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


55 


the  foundation  for  the  side  of  the  house.  The  side 
sashes  are  hinged  for  ventilation.  Top  ventilation  is 
afforded  at  the  ridge  by  ventilators  raised  by  rods  from 
the  inside.  The  roof  is  on  the  fixed  principle  that  is 


n  .  HH 


FIG.  5. — Section  o/  Propagating  House. 


40  ft- 

Frr..   6.—P.an. 


composed  of  sash  bars  extending  from  plate  to  ridge, 
in  which  the  glass  is  set.  In  the  north  division  a  com- 
bination of  the  tank  and  flue  systems  of  heating  is 
u^ opted,  by  which  economy  of  fuel  to  a  considerable 


56  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

extent  is  effected.  The  boiler  is  so  set  that  the  back 
of  it  and  all  the  connecting  pipes  are  inside  of  the 
house,  only  the  fire  and  ash  pit  doors  project  through 
the  brick  partition  into  the  boiler  pit.  Much  heat  is 
generally  wasted  from  hot  water  boilers  by  the  direct 
connection  of  the  chimney  with  the  outer  air,  that 
might  be  saved  by  means  of  a  well  constructed  flue. 
It  will  be  seen  that  the  smoke  from  the  boiler  is  carried 
under  the  tank,  in  this  instance  through  8  inch  vitri- 
fied drain  pipe.  To  prevent  the  cracking  of  the  pipe 
near  the  boiler  the  first  6  or  8  feet  is  laid  with  cast 
iron  pipe.  Wooden  tanks  built  on  posts  and  elevated 
two  feet  above  the  floor  furnish  bottom  heat.  These 
tanks  are  two  feet  six  inches  wide  and  six  inches  deep, 
built  of  11  inch  pine,  well  put  together  with  white 
lead  and  securely  nailed  and  screwed.  A  division 
through  the  centre  separates  the  flow  and  return 
water.  Roofing  slate  of  proper  size  is  used  to  cover 
the  top,  the  joints  of  which  are  carefully  cemented  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  steam.  Sand  is  placed  directly 
on  the  slate  as  a  plunging  material  for  the  pots  con- 
taining cuttings.  In  the  south  division  tanks  are  also 
used,  but  as  the  plants  are  potted  off  when  placed 
there,  bottom  heat  is  not  so  necessary  ;  the  sand  is  dis- 
pensed with  and  the  pots  rest  on  a  shelf  or  table  built 
about  two  inches  above  the  tanks,  allowing  the  heat 
radiated  from  the  slate  to  diffuse  itself  through  the 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  57 

house.  Slides  in  each  tank  afford  means  of  shutting 
off  the  water  allowing  each  house  to  be  worked  inde- 
pendently. The  centre  of  house  is  occupied  by  an 
earth  bed  in  which  the  plants  (after  becoming  wt.41 
rooted  in  the  small  pots,  to  which  they  are  first  trans- 
fered  from  the  cutting  pots)  are  carefully  transplanted 
and  will  form  large  and  vigorous  vines  by  the  end  of 
the  season. 


DESIGN  No.  2. 

IN  Figure  7  is  given  a  perspective  view  of  a  propa- 
gating house  of  an  ornamental  character.  It  is  in- 
tended for  forcing  early  vegetables,  strawberries, 
grapes  in  pots,  and  such  general  propagation  of  plants 
as  are  needed  on  a  country  place  of  moderate  extent. 
The  curvilinear  roof  gives  beauty  to  the  design  as 
well  as  affording  more  head  room  inside  than  the 
ordinary  straight  rafter. 

The  pitch  of  the  roof  is  quite  flat,  a  straight  line 
between  the  ends  of  the  rafter  forming  an  angle  of 
only  28  degrees  with  the  horizon.  It  was  desirable 
to  have  the  roof  as  low  as  was  consistent  with  suffi- 
cient head  room,  that  the  plants  might  be  as  near  the 
glass  as  possible,  without  the  necessity  of  high  stag- 


58 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  f>!) 

ing  in  the  centre.  The  house  has  the  ends  to  the 
east  and  west.  At  the  west  end  is  an  ante-room,  not 
shown  in  perspective  view,  containing  the  boiler,  seed 
drawers,  .desk,  &c.  On  the  north  side  of  house  are 
beds  for  propagating  plants,  arid  the  south  side  is 
used  for  early  vegetables,  strawberries,  &c.  In  the 
centre  is  a  large  bed  of  earth  used  for  grapes  in  pots, 
vegetables  and  plants.  A  portion  of  the  roof  on  the 


FIG.  8.—S.<diwi. 


south  side  can  b?  raised  when  it  is  desirable  to  harden 
off  the  plants  in  spring.  The  foundation  is  of  wood, 
locust  posts  being  used,  with  boards  nailed  upon  both 
sides  and  coated  with  coal  tar.  The  house  is  forty 
one  feet  long  and  sixteen  feet  wide,  and  is  heated  by 
a  tank  constructed  as  follows:  brick  piers  are  built 
three  feet  apart  on  which  are  laid  common  blue  flag 
stones  six  feet  Ions  and  two  feet  wide.  The  sides  and 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  61 

divisions  of  the  tanks  are  built  of  brick,  and  cemented 
inside.  One  of  Hitchings  &  Co.'s  boilers  furnishes  the 
heat,  and  is  connected  with  the  tank  by  two  inch  iron 
pipe.  Above  the  tanks  are  the  propagating  beds  as 
shown  in  figure  8.  The  tank,  with  the  exception  of 
that  part  across  the  end  of  the  house  is  covered  with 
beds  and  no  provision  is  made  for  other  heat  than 
that  radiated  from  the  sides,  and  that  portion  left 
uncovered  at  the  end.  In  the  practical  working  of 
the  house,  this  has  been  found  insufficient,  and  pipes 
have  been  introduced  for  atmospheric  heat,  the  tanks 
being  still  retained  for  bottom  heat 


DESIGN  No.  3. 

THE  following  plan  is  similar  to  the  one  previously 
given,  and  was  erected  for  the  same  general  purposes. 
It  has,  however,  been  found  to  answer  so  well  for  a 
general  green-house,  that  there  is  but  little  forcing  or 
propagation  carried  on.  At  the  east  end  is  the  boiler 
pit,  seed  room,  &c.;  the  roof  of  which  is  of  tongued 
and  grooved  boards  bent  to  the  curve  of  the  roof  and 
battened.  The  foundation  is  of  stone,  and  the  whole 
house  of  a  substantial  character.  Bottom  heat  is 
furnished  by  brick  tanks  built  in  the  same  manner  as 


62 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


63 


before  described,  the  water  in  which  is  heated  by  iron 
pipes  running  through  the  tanks  (see  section  Fig.  12.) 
The  pipes  being  also  used  to  heat  a  grapery  near  by 
on  a  higher  level,  it  was  necessary  to  carry  them  thus. 
This  arrangement  for  bottom  heat  is  not  as  good  as 


a  8 

FIG.  11.— Ground  Plan. 


FIG.  l2.—Sec&m. 


tvhen  the  water  flows  directly  into  the  tank  from  the 
boiler.  There  is  a  large  bed  in  centre  of  house  in 
which  pots  of  plants  are  plunged,  and  considerable 
shelving  at  ends  of  house.  Bottom  ventilation  is 
obtained  by  six  inch  earthen  drain  pipe,  placed  on  a 


64  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

level  with  the  floor  inside  and  running  through  the 
wall  and  up  to  the  surface  of  the  ground  outside, 
where  they  are  covered  with  wooden  caps  for  regulat- 
ing the  amount  of  air  required.  Ventilators  are 
placed  over  the  doors  and  in  the  opposite  end  of  house, 
in  addition  to  which,  the  sash  in  the  doors  are  hinged 
and  can  be  opened  when  needful. 


DESIGN  No.  4. 

This  design  combines  a  grapery,  and  forcing,  and 
propagating  house  in  one.  Figs.  13,  14,  15,  show 
side  elevation,  south  front,  and  section  through  the 
centre.  The  dimensions  are  twenty  feet  in  width  by 
forty  three  feet  in  length,  to  which  ten  feet  have  since 
been  added,  enclosing  boiler  pit  C.  and  potting  room 
not  shown  in  sketch.  The  foundation  is  built  on 
locust  posts  with  plank  nailed  upon  both  sides.  Such 
foundations  we  do  not  advocate,  as  they  are  a  bill  of 
expense,  for  needful  repairs,  every  four  or  five  years, 
and  the  additional  outlay  for  permanent  brick  or 
stone  foundations  is  money  well  invested.  In  the 
present  case,  the  owners  wishes  were  carried  out.  On 
the  ground  plan,  that  part  designated  A.  is  devoted 
to  the  growth  of  grapes.  The  border  is  all  inside,  of 


HORTICULTURAL   BUILDINGS. 


66  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

the  house  and  is  about  three  feet  in  depth.  At  the 
dotted  line  a  wall  is  built  across  the  house  to  sustain 
the  bord'-T,  the  floor  of  B.  being  two  feet  lower.  The 
central  portion  of  B.  is  devoted  to  grapes  in  pots. 
At  the  sides  of  B.  are  beds  for  propagating  plants, 


FIG.  14. — S^utl 


FIG.  15. — Section. 


forcing  vegetables,  &c.,  furnished  with  bottom  heat 
from  brick  tanks  which  extend  entirely  around  the 
house  and  heat  the  grapery  part  as  well. 

Pipes  laid  underground  from  the  outside  furnish 
fresh  air  when  desired  and  ventilation  in  the  roof  is 
also  provided  for. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


67 


68  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

DESIGN  No.  5. 

THE  following  design  is  a  house  with  a  straight 
roof  of  low  pitch,  and  was  built  witL  considerate 
regard  to  cost,  for  which  reason,  among  others,  the 
foundations  are  of  wood,  and  side  lights  are  omitted. 
The  sides  are  of  inch  and  a.  half  plank  nailed  to  locust 
posts,  the  space  between  the  inside  and  outside  lining 
being  filled  with  charcoal  dust.  Such  foundations  do 
very  well  at  first,  but  the  wood  in  contact  with  the 
ground  will  decay  in  three  or  four  years,  and  require 
repairs — though  locust  posts  will  last  for  many  years. 

This  house  is  quite  narrow,  being  only  twelve  feet 
wide.  It  has  tables  on  either  side  and  a  walk  in  the 
middle,  through  which  is  a  row  of  light  posts  to  sup- 
port climbing  plants.  Ventilation  is  effected  at  the 
ridge  by  six  ventilators.  There  are  also  ventilators 
over  and  in  the  doors.  The  house  is  heated  by  two 
four  inch  pipes  under  the  tables.  The  boiler  pit  is 
located  in  a  sunken  shed  outside,  not  shown  in  the 
plan.  This  house  has  been  used  for  growing  such 
plants  as  are  generally  found  in  an  amateur's  collec- 
tion, and  has  given  satisfactory  results. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


69 


70  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

DESIGN  No.  6. 

OUR  next  illustration  is  of  a  green-house  and 
grapery  combined,  seventy  feet  in  length  by  twenty 
feet  wide.  It  is  divided  by  a  glass  partition  into  two 
compartments,  either  of  which  can  be  heated  at 
pleasure  from  the  same  boiler,  by  means  of  cut-offs 
in  the  pipes.  This  house  was  designed  to  be  heated 
entirely  by  the  tank  system,  but  pipes  were  after- 
wards substituted  except  for  the  propagating  beds. 
This  house  is  located  on  a  large  village  lot  at  Kings- 
ton, N.  Y.,  near  the  dwelling,  and  is  in  full  view  of 
the  street.  The  exposure  is  all  that  could  be  desired, 
and  the  protection  from  northerly  winds  perfect.  A 
boiler  pit  is  located  outside,  at  the  side  of  the  build- 
ing, over  which  a  handsome  summer-house  is  built 
which  shields  it  entirely  from  view.  The  foundation  is 
of  brick,  and  the  whole  workmanship  is  first  class.  The 
side  sashes  are  three  feet  high,  and  each  alternate  one 
is  hung  for  bottom  ventilation.  There  are  also  the 
usual  ventilators  in  the  roof. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


71 


72 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


FIG.  20. — Section. 


L:.  21.— South  Front. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDIVO6.  -  73 


DESIGN  No.  7. 

THIS  design  is  for  a  Cold  Grapery  of  low  cost.  The 
:»bject  contemplated  is  to  secure  a  house  that  shall 
answer  the  purpose  intended,  and  be  a  complete  work- 
ing houie  in  all  its  parts,  without  unnecessary  ex- 
pense. The  general  outside  appearance,  Fig.  22,  is 
similar  to  a  plant  house  before  illustrated,  the  straight 
roof  affording  little  opportunity  for  architectural 
variety.  By  referring  to  Fig.  23,  section,  and  Fig.  24, 
ground  plan,  it  will  be  observed  that  rafters  to  sup- 
port the  roof  are  dispensed  with,  except  two  at  each 
end  to  form  the  verge  and  finish.  The  ridge  and 
purlins  are  supported  by  light  2x3  inch  posts,  which 
rest  upon  larger  posts  beneath  the  ground.  This  is 
a  considerable  saving,  both  in  material  and  workman- 
ship. Posts  set  three  feet  into  the  ground  form  the 
foundation  for  the  sides  and  ends  of  the  house.  The 
sides  are  two  feet  above  the  ground,  and  the  entire 
structure  is  but  ten  feet  in  height,  enabling  the 
gardener  to  reach  nearly  every  part  of  the  roof  from 
the  ground.  The  posts  may  appear  to  be  an  objec- 
tion, but  in  practice  they  are  found  not  to  be  so,  but 
are  useful  to  train  the  vines  upon.  Five  rows  of  vines 
are  planted,  two  in  the  usual  manner  at  the  sides,  anil 

one  row  along  uaeh  line  of  posts.     The  object  in  pl.int- 

4 


74 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


75 


ing  thus,  was  to  get  as  much  fruit  as  possible  in  the 
shortest  space  of  time.  These  centre  vines  will  give 
several  crops  of  good  fruit  before  they  will  be  much 
interfered  with  by  those  trained  upon  the  roof.  9x15 
glass  was  used  in  glazing,  to  lessen  the  expense  of 


FIG.  23.— 


FIG.  24.— Ground  Plan. 


sasb  ban*,  the  glass  being  laid  the  15-inch  way.  This 
glass,  being  very  true,  has  made  a  good  roof,  but 
10x12  is  as  large  a  size  as  will  usually  be  found  to 
answer.  This  house  is  distinguished  from  most  of 
ur  other  designs  by  the  greater  amount  of  light 


76  WOODWARD'S    GRAPERIES    AND 

admitted,  owing  to  the  absence  of  rafters  and  the  less 
than  usual  number  of  sash  bars.  The  sides  and  ends 
are  boarded  perpendicularly,  and  battened.  Ventila- 
tors are  provided  on  each  side  of  the  ridge  and  over 
the  doors,  while  the  sashes  hung  in  the  doors  furnish 
sufficient  bottom  ventilation.  It  was  desirable  to 
have  the  house  raised  or  appear  higher  owing  to  the 
slight  depression  of  the  ground  at  the  site,  and  for 
this  reason  the  border  was  all  made  above  the  surface 
two  feet  and  a  half  in  height,  composed  largely  of 
decayed  sods,  with  an  addition  of  muck,  coal  and 
wood  ashes  and  a  small  quantity  of  stable  manure. 
It  has  been  found  to  work  admirably,  and  preserve  an 
even  moisture  throughout.  Elevated  borders  are 
highly  recommended  by  some  exotic  grape  growers, 
and  our  experience  with  them  is  much  in  their  favor. 
At  present  the  inside  border  is  alone  completed,  as  it 
was  desirable  to  plant  the  vines,  and  sufficient  mate- 
rials were  not  at  hand  to  complete  the  whole.  Vines 
were  planted  the  1st  of  June,  1864. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  77 

DESIGN  No.  8. 
THE  POLYPROSOPIC  ROOF. 

POLYPROSOPIC  is  not  a  dictionary  word,  at  least  we 
cannot  find  it  in  our  two-volume  large  quarto  edition 
of  Webster,  but  Loudon  makes  use  of  it  to  name  a 
special  form  of  roof  sometimes  made  use  of  in  the 
construction  of  Horticultural  buildings,  the  true 
meaning  of  which  we  believe  is,  that  the  interior  side 
or  outline  of  the  rafter  is  curvilinear  and  the  exterior 
formed  of  planes  or  faces. 

A  very  extensive  practice  in  the  design  and  erection 
of  Horticultural  buildings  of  all  classes  and  for  all 
purposes,  from  the  low  priced  commercial  shed  to  the 
finished  crystal  palaces,  that  adorn  our  finest  country 
seats,  has  led  us  to  a  more  thorough  investigation  of 
this  now  very  important  subject,  and  we  have  been 
enabled  by  a  long  practical  experience  in  the  con- 
struction and  practical  management  of  Horticultural 
buildings  to  reach  conclusions  relative  to  form,  combi- 
nation, heating  and  management  that  could  not  be 
arrived  at  in  any  other  manner. 

We  have  illustrated  examples  of  the  straight  and 
curvilinear  roofs,  and  now  give  the  polyprosopic  roof, 
in  which  manner  we  have  erected  some  half  dozen 
graperiVs  and  plant  houses. 


78 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


79 


This  particular  form  of  hot  houses  was  described 
by  Mr.  Loudou  in  his  encyclopedia  of  gardening  some 
thirty  years  ago,  and  he  says,  "he  considers  it  to  be 
the  ne  plus  ultra  of  improvement  as  far  as  air  and 
light  are  concerned." 

Mr.  Leuchars  in  his  practical  treaties  on  hot-houses 
published  some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  since,  illus- 
trates this  form  of  house  and  says  :  "  It  is  by  some 
considered  superior  to  all  other  forms  for  winter 
forcing." 


FIG.  26— 


Mr.  James  Cranston  of  Birmingham,  England,  has 
also  adopted  this  form  of  construction,  which  in  many 
respects  he  considers  ahead  of  all  others.  It  seems  to 
have  been  very  generally  known  and  used  by  many 
builders  of  glass-houses,  and  its  numerous  combina- 
tions of  sliding,  lifting,  and  permanently  fastened 
-ash,  has  been  public  property  for  upwards  of  thirty 
\vjirs.  Although  nearly  approaching  to  the  cnrvi- 


80  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

linear,  form  it  lacks  the  graceful  beauty  of  a  con- 
tinuous carved  line,  and  as  excessive  ventilation  so 
necessary  in  the  climate  of  England,  is  not  required 
in  our  dry  sunny  atmosphere,  the  lifting  or  sliding 
sash  roof  is  not  considered  so  desirable  as  the  continu- 
ous fixed  roof,  which  is  at  once  the  most  beautiful  and 
the  most  economical  roof  yet  introduced. 

The  principal  advantage  of  the  Polyprosopic  roof, 
is  its  portability,  that  is,  it  can  be  made  in  sashes,  and 
transported  to  any  portion  of  the  country,  thus  obviat- 
ing the  necessity  of  painting  and  glazing  in  the  hot 
atmosphere  of  the  interior,  or  loss  of  time  from  storms, 
etc.,  on  outside  work.  The?  fixed  roof  house  can  be 
sent  anywhere  primed,  but  the  glazing  and  second 
coat  of  paint  must  be  done  after  the  erection  of  the 
building  ;  either  house  we  think  equally  well  adapted 
to  growing  purposes,  but  as  a  matter  of  beauty  and 
economy  we  give  the  preference  to  the  fixed  curvilinear 
roof. 

The  engraving  is  a  view  of  a  Plant  House,  erected 
by  us  for  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Brown,  on  his  beautiful  estate  of 
Millbrook,  near  Washington  Hollow,  Duchess  County, 
New  York.  The  plan  of  the  house  gives  two  nearly 
equal  apartments,  one  to  be  used  as  a  propagating 
and  forcing  house,  and  the  other  as  a  conservatory  or 
show  house  for  plants  and  flowers.  Both  are  heated 
by  the  circulation  of  hot  water  and  can  be  worked 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  81 

independently  of  each,  other.  Such  houses  add  very 
much  to  the  attractions  of  a  country  estate,  and  im- 
press a  stranger  with  a  higher  degree  of  taste  and 
refinement,  while  the  owner  has  added  very  much  to 
his  luxuries  and  enjoyments. 


DESIGN  No.  9. 

IN  this  design  we  give  a  small  Green  House  which 
has  been  erected  in  a  substantial  and  permanent  man- 
ner. The  Green  House  is  quite  small,  being  only  20 
by  30  feet.  It  is  intended  to  keep  bedding  plants, 
Camellias,  Oranges,  and  similar  things,  during  the 
winter,  and  also  to  propagate  such  plants  as  may  be 
wanted  for  bedding  purposes  on  a  place  of  moderate 
dimensions.  This  house  runs  east  and  west.  Its 
position  was  determined  partly  by  the  nature  of 
the  ground,  but  mainly  by  the  propagating  bed. 
Fig.  28  is  the  ground  plan.  The  large  compartment 
is  nearly  twenty  feet  square.  The  potting-room, 
which  is  at  the  west  end  of  the  house,  is  eight  by  ten 
feet,  and  is  fitted  up  with  desks,  drawers,  and  other 
necessary  conveniences.  The  furnace  pit,  at  the  same 
end  of  the  house,  is  eight  by  eight  feet,  and  contains 
ample  room  for  coal.  The  house  is  heated  by  two 

4* 


82 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


83 


2 
o 
o  j 
cc  « 

IS 

H  09 


84 

four-inch  pipes.  The  large  compartment  has  a  side 
table  for  plants.  On  the  north  side  of  the  house  there 
is  a  propagating  bed,  the  bottom  heat  for  which  is 
supplied  by  a  hot-air  chamber.  This  hot-air  chamber 
is  formed  by  simply  inclosing  a  portion  of  the  iron 
pipes.  In  the  plan  there  is  a  large  table  in  the  centre 
of  this  compartment ;  but  this  was  not  put  in,  the 
owner  adopting  the  suggestion  of  setting  his  large 
plants  on  the  floor  of  the  house  ;  a  very  excellent  plan 
in  itself,  but  which  was  subsequently  very  much  mar- 
red by  filling  in  the  whole  floor  of  the  house  to  the 
depth  of  six  inches  with  coarse  pebbles,  to  the  injury, 
we  think,  of  the  subsequent  well-being  of  the  house. 
The  idea  was,  an  appearance  of  neatness,  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  tubs,  and  to  prevent  the  roots  from  run- 
ning through  ;  but  an  inch  of  nice  gravel  would  have 
secured  the  first  without  the  objections  that  lie  against 
the  thick  coat  of  pebbles,  while  the  other  objects  will 
not  be  secured  ;  for  the  tubs  will  rot,  and  the  roots 
will  not  thus  be  prevented  from  running  through  the 
pots.  This  object  must  be  secured  by  other  means 
than  pebbles.  The  pebbles  are  unpleasant  to  walk 
on,  become  heated,  and  dry  off  the  house  too  rapidly, 
to  the  manifest  injury  of  the  plants.  We  merely 
mention  the  subject,  that  our  readers  may  avoid  a 
similar  error,  and  save  themselves  the  money  thus 
y  spent. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  85 

Fig.  72  is  a  perspective  view  of  the  house.  The 
west  end  is  boarded  and  battened.  This  corresponds 
with  the  general  design  of  the  house,  and  presents  a 
neat  finish.  The  sides,  except  the  potting  room,  are 
of  glass,  the  sashes  being  about  three  feet  high.  Every 
other  sash  is  hung  at  the  bottom,  for  the  purpose  of 
ventilation.  The  roof  is  a  continuous  glazed  roof,  and 
is  quite  flat,  which  is  a  decided  advantage  to  the 
plants  within.  There  are  no  ventilators  in  the  roof, 
the  top  ventilation  being  effected  by  means  of  the 
sashes  over  the  doors  at  each  end,  which  are  hung  at 
the  bottom  for  this  purpose,  and  afford  abundant 
ventilation  for  a  house  the  length  of  this  one.  There 
is  an  ornamental  crest  along  the  ridge,  and  at  each 
end  a  neat  finial. 


DESIGN  No.  10. 

OUR  next  example  is  a  Cold  Grapery,  erected  at 
South  Manchester,  Connecticut. 

Fig.  29  is  the  perspective  view  of  the  house,  and  Fig. 
30  is  a  section.  The  house  is  twenty  feet  wide  and 
sixty  feet  long.  In  Fig.  30,  a  is  a  stone  wall,  with  a 
drain  under  it.  b  is  a  hollow  brick  wall,  d,  d,  is  the 
ground  level  of  the  house  on  the  inside  ;  the  line  he- 


86 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  87 

low  b  is  the  level  on  the  outside,  but  the  earth  is  em- 
banked against  the  brick  wall  to  within  an  inch  of  the 
sill.  A  small  house  is  shown  at  the  north  end  which 
is  used  for  tools,  potting,  &c.  The  border  is  about 
three  feet  deep,  and  occupies  the  whole  interior  of  the 
house.  There  is  no  outside  •  border.  On  the  bottom 
is  placed  about  one  foot  of  "  tussocks"  from  a  neigh- 
boring bog,  which  may  in  time  decay.  The  border  is 
made  up  pretty  freely  of  muck,  with  the  addition  oi 


FIG.  M).—Stcti<m. 

sand,  loam,  charcoal  dust,  bone  dust,  etc.  There  is 
a  row  of  vines,  two  feet  and  a  half  apart,  at  each  side 
of  the  house,  at  c?,  d.  There  are  two  other  rows  at  e,  e. 
There  are  also  a  few  vines  at  c,  and  at  the  ends  of  the 
house.  The  rows  at  c?,  d,  form  fruiting  canes  half 
way  up  the  rafters  ;  those  at  e,  e,  go  to  the  roof  with 
a  naked  trunk,  and  furnish  fruiting  canes  for  the 
othnr  half  of  the  rafters.  The  fruiting  canes  are  thus 
very  short,  and  easily  managed.  The  house  was 
planted  in  the  month  of  April,  with  such  grapes  as 


88 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  89 

3)i;i  k  Hamburgh,  Victoria  Hamburgh,  Wilmot's 
Hamburgh,  Golden  Hamburgh,  Muscat  Hamburgh, 
Chasselas  Fontainebleau,  Frontignans,  Muscat  of  Al- 
exandria, Syrian,  Esperione,  Tokay,  and  some  others. 
The  plants  were  very  small,  and  the  wire  worm  injured 
some  of  them  so  as  to  make  it  necessary  to  replant ; 
but  the  growth  of  those  not  injured  was  very  good. 
A  fine  crop  of  Melons,  Tomatoes,  Strawberries,  etc., 
was  taken  from  the  house  the  first  year.  The  second 
year  a  few  bunches  of  grapes  were  gathered,  and  every 
thing  went  on  finely. 

This  is  the  third  year  in  which  the  house  has  been 
in  operation.  Our  last  visit  was  in  the  early  part  of 
August,  1863,  when  we  counted  734  bunches  of  grapes, 
weighing  from  one  to  seven  pounds  each,  the  Syrian 
being  the  grape  which  reached  the  last  figure.  Almost 
as  many  bunches  were  thinned  out.  In  some  cases 
too  many  are  left,  but  they  look  very  fine.  The  Mus- 
cats are  extremely  well  set,  and  some  of  the  bunches 
will  weigh  fully  three  pounds.  The  Black  Hamburghs 
look  quite  as  well ;  but  the  finest  show  of  fruit  is  on 
the  Esperione.  The  large  number  of  bunches  is  owing 
to  the  manner  of  planting  ;  so  many  could  hardly  be 
taken  the  third  season  from  a  house  planted  in  the 
ordinary  way.  The  canes,  it  will  be  borne  in  mind, 
are  now  only  fruited  about  half  their  length. 

The  exposure  of  this  house  is  a  very  bleak  one,  and 


90  WOOD\V.vRD'S  'GRAPERIES    AND 

the  climate  cold  and  fickle.  In  order  to  provide 
against  a  late  spring  frost,  a  coil  of  one  inch  pipe  was 
inclosed  in  brick  work,  with  a  fire  chamber  under  it. 
From  this  coil  a  single  one  inch  pipe  was  carried 
around  the  house  next  the  side  sashes.  It  is  found  to 
answer  the  purpose,  having  on  one  occasion  kept  the 
frost  out  of  the  house,  when  the  crop  in  the  house  of 
a  neighbor  was  destroyed.  In  many  places,  some  re- 
source of  this  kind  is  necessary,  urivl  a  small  boiler 
with  a  single  pipe  will  in  most  cases  prove  sufficient. 


DESIGN  No.  11. 

THE  following  illustration  is  of  a  Plant  House  at- 
tached to  a  dwelling,  and  is  quite  different  in  its  plan 
from  those  before  given.  It  was  designed  and  erected 
for  J.  C.  Johnston,  Esq.,  of  Scarborough,  N.  Y. 

It  is  built  on  the  south  side  of  the  dwelling,  and  is 
entered  from  the  parlor  as  well  as  from  the  pleasure 
grounds.  Fig.  32  is  a  perspective  view,  which  gives 
the  reader  a  good  idea  of  its  general  appearance, 
though  we  can  not  help  saying  that  in  this  case,  at 
least,  the  picture  does  not  flatter  ;  the  house  looks 
finer  on  the  ground  than  in  the  picture.  The  circular 
house  on  the  southeast  corner  is  strictly  an  ornamental 
feature,  and  a  very  pretty  one. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


91 


92 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  93 

The  interior  arrangement  is  shown  in  the  ground 
plan,  Fig.  33.  The  house  is  divided  into  two  com- 
partments, A  and  B.  The  last  is  intended  for  growing 
and  propagating  plants.  The  house  is  heated  by  hot 
water  pipes,  the  boiler  being  placed  in  the  cellar  of  the 
dwelling,  which  is  entered  by  the  steps,  /;  e  is  a 
propagating  tank,  fitted  with  sliding  sashes.  It  is 
quite  large  enough  to  propagate  all  the  plants  the 
owner  will  want ;  d,  d,  are  beds  about  a  foot  deep, 
with  a  moderate  bottom  heat,  for  plunging  pots  in 
when  desired  ;  w  is  the  walk.  This  compartment  is 
to  be  used  for  bringing  plants  into  bloom,  after  which 
they  are  to  be  taken  to  the  showroom  or  conservatory, 
marked  A  in  the  plan.  The  arrangement  of  this  com- 
partment is  such,  that  all  the  plants  in  it  may  be  seen 
from  the  parlor  door  or  window,  the  steps  leading  to 
which  are  marked  b  ;  a,  d,  d,  are  tables  ;  c  would 
make  a  pretty  little  fountain,  but  it  is  intended  at 
present  to  put  it  in  the  form  of  a  rustic  basket,  and 
fill  it  with  ornamental  plants.  The  effect  can  not  be 
otherwise  than  good.  Climbing  plants  of  various 
kinds  will  be  trained  up  the  mullions  and  rafters  of 
the  circular  house,  and  allowed  to  hang  in  festoons 
from  the  roof.  When  the  house  is  filled  with  flower- 
ing and  ornamental-leaved  plants,  with  climbers  de- 
pendent from  the  roof,  the  effect  will  be  charming. 


94  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

DESIGN  No.  12. 
COLD  GRAPERIES  FOR  CITY  LOTS. 

IN  this  illustration  is  given  three  graperies,  designed 
and  constructed  by  us  for  Mr.  John  H.  Sherwood  of 
this  city,  which  are  among  the  first,  if  not  the  first 
erected  in  New  York,  as  an  elegant,  substantial  and 
attractive  addition  to  three  very  superb  palatial  resi- 
dences on  Murray  Hill,  near  5th  Avenue.  These  latter 
are  buildings,  such  as,  in  style  and  workmanship,  very 
few  persons  in  this  country,  outside  of  New  York, 
have  seen,  arid  such  as  but  few  of  the  first  class  build- 
ers of  New  York  are  competent  to  erect. 

Centrally  located  in  the  aristocratic  portion  of  a  city 
noted  for  its  wealth,  taste  and  influence,  these  Grape- 
ries will  be  carefully  watched  as  an  index  of  what  the 
future  may  do  in  the  increased  demand  for  houses  on 
city  lots  for  Horticultural  purposes. 

A  full  sized  lot  in  the  city  of  New  York  is  twenty- 
five  feet  wide  by  one  hundred  feet  in  depth,  The 
ground  attached  to  each  dwelling  in  this  case  is  equal 
to  two  full  sized  lots,  being  twenty-five  feet  wide  and 
two  hundred  feet  in  depth.  The  dwellings  front  on 
Fortieth  Street,  behind  which  are  the  yards,  twenty 
by  twenty-five  feet ;  the  Graperies,  which  are  twenty- 
five  fret  by  forty  feet  ;  then  the  coach  houses,  which 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS, 


95 


96  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

front  on,  and  are  entered  from,  Thirty-ninth  Street, 
thus  using  the  whole  space. 

The  graperies  are  intended  to  be  used  without  heat ; 
but  whenever  desirable,  heating  apparatus  can  be  easily 
introduced,  and  the  grape  season  materially  lengthen- 
ed. For  practical  purposes  only,  and  on  open  grounds, 
it  would,  perhaps,  have  been  better  to  have  built  the 
houses  lower  ;  but  as  grapes  are  usually  fruited  next 
to  the  glass,  the  principal  objection  to  high  houses  for 


jri 


HOUSE  8    YARD    J    GRAPERY  STABLE 

1 68:  3  |  60.. 


FIG.  35.— Ground  Plan. 

grape  culture  is  the  extra  labor  in  getting  up  to  the 
vines  for  pruning  and  training.  These  houses  are 
purposely  built  higher  than  is  now  usual,  to  give  a 
finer  effect  from  the  drawing-room  windows,  and  to 
secure,  as  far  as  possible,  the  influence  of  the  sun's 
rays. 

By  the  use  of  glass  houses  on  city  lots,  much  en- 
joyment may  be  had  by  all  who  have  a  desire  to  spend 
their  time  in  growing  fine  fruits  and  flowers.  Pot 
vines  and  trees  condense  a  vineyard  and  orchard  into 
a  wonderfully  small  space,  and  border  vines  yield  a 
harvest  of  glorious  fruit  that  surprise  all  not  accus- 


HORTICULTURAL   BUILDINGS.  97 

tomed  to  seeing  and  eating  such  luxuries.  Our  city 
lots,  with  rare  exceptions,  are  well  adapted  to  the 
growth,  under  glass,  of  grapes  and  orchard  fruit,  and 
the  forcing  of  vegetables.  There  are  many  of  them 
somewhat  shaded  during  portions  of  the  day,  yet  the 
better  protection  is  something  of  a  compensation,  and 
besides  that,  it  is  still  an  open  question  whether  sun- 
light is  alone  essential  in  perfecting  fruit  ;  daylight 
in  many  cases  does  pretty  well 

The  failure  to  receive  the  sun's  rays  the  entire  day 
would  not  deter  us  one  moment  from  the  erection  of 
a  horticultural  building.  Those  who  grow  fruit 
where  all  conditions  are  most  favorable  to  success,  do 
not  enjoy  the  same  pleasure  nor  attain  the  same 
skill  as  those  who  battle  with  difficulties  ;  success 
easily  acquired  has  not  the  same  value  as  success 
which  is  reached  by  persistent  effort  against  adverse 
circumstances. 

Unlike  the  garden  of  a  country  gentleman  that 
blossoms  and  fruits  and  passes  away  in  a  season,  the 
horticultural  building  properly  heated  is  a  perpetual 
pleasure,  a  garden  the  year  round  ;  vegetables  and 
fruit  and  flowers  follow  each  other  without  inter- 
mission. 

Very  much  is  due  to  the  foresight  and  eneigy  of 
Mr.  Sherwood,  in  inaugurating  the  introduction  of 

horticultural  structures  of  this  class   in  New  York. 

5 


98  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

Few  gentlemen  of  wealth  have  had  the  same  oppor- 
tunity, and  few  less  would  have  the  courage  to  take 
the  first  hold  step  in  this  matter.  It  cannot,  however, 
by  horticulturists,  be  looked  upon  as  an  experiment, 
however  much  those  inexperienced  in  such  matters 
may  be  disposed  to  criticise. 

We  are  sure  that  Mr.  Sherwood  has  done  something 
that  will  advance  the  cause  of  Horticulture,  and 
equally  sure  that  he  will  be  successful  in  the  result. 
We  shall  feel  much  interested  in  his  progress. 


DESIGN  No.  13. 

IN  our  present  illustration  we  have  an  example  of 
what  may  be  done  with  a  wall.  It  was  necessary,  for 
certain  purposes,  to  cut  away  an  embankment,  and 
build  a  sustaining  wall.  After  this  had  been  done, 
we  were  asked  ii  the  wall  could  not  be  devoted  to  some 
useful  purpose,  arid  it  was  determined  to  build  a  lean- 
to  grapery  against  it.  The  chief  difficulty  in  the  way 
was  the  wet  and  springy  nature  of  the  ground  at  the 
level  marked  water  line  in  Fig.  38.  It  was  found, 
however,  that  it  could  be  drained;  but  at  certain 
seasons  of  the  year  surface  water  would  accumulate 
from  the  overflow  of  a  milldam.  But  there  is  gener- 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


99 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL  BUILDINGS.  101 

ally  some  way  to  overcome  difficulties.  In  this  case, 
the  border  was  placed  inside  the  house,  and  well  raised, 
with  a  firm  concrete  bottom  between  the  ground  and 
water  lines,  and  suitable  drains  connecting  with  the 
main  drain  under  the  front  wall,  to  secure  the  requi- 
site degree  of  dry  ness  inside.  Up  to  the  present  time 
we  believe  every  thing  has  gone  on  very  favorably. 
We  have  no  doubt  that  many  other  places,  now 
deemed  useless,  might  be  converted  into  good  grape- 


FIG.  38.— Section. 

ries  at  an  expense  that  the  results  would  fully  warrant. 
In  case  this  was  successful,  it  was  the  owner's  purpose 
to  extend  the  house  along  the  wall  at  the  left;  and  it 
was  therefore  deemed  best  to  insert  the  valley  at  the 
angle,  to  save  future  expense  in  tearing  down  the  end 
of  the  house. 

Fig.  36  is  a  perspective  view  of  the  house,  which, 
in  connection  with  Fig.  38  will  give  the  reader  a  good 
idea  of  the  general  arrangement.  Fig.  37  is  a  plan. 


102  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

DESIGN  No.  14. 

OUR  next  illustration  is  a  hot  grapery.  It  is  forty- 
one  feet  long  and  twenty  feet  wide.  Fig.  39  is  a 
perspective  view.  It  is  covered  with  a  low,  continu- 
ous, curvilinear  roof,  and  is  without  side  lights.  The 
omission  of  side  lights  materially  lessens  the  cost  of 
the  house,  and  secures  additional  warmth.  In  some 
cases,  side  lights  serve  no  other  purpose  than  archi- 
tectural effect.  Graperies,  propagating  houses,  and 
plant  houses  generally  may  very  well  he  constructed 
without  them;  some  of  these  houses,  indeed,  are  very 
much  better  without  them. 

In  the  present  instance,  to  prevent  what  is  called  a 
"squatty"  appearance,  and  also  to  give  additional 
headway,  the  side  walls  were  carried  up  some  twenty 
inches  above  the  ground  line.  The  house  is  thus 
made  to  assume  a  handsome  appearance.  Air  is  intro- 
duced into  the  house  at  the  sides,  through  under- 
ground wooden  air  chambers  opening  on  the  inside 
near  the  walk.  Instead  of  these  wooden  air  chambers, 
we  now  use  six  inch  glazed  pipes,  as  being  more  con- 
venient and  durable.  It  is  an  effective  and  excellent 
mode  of  introducing  fresh  air,  without  letting  it 
directly  on  the  plants.  Ventilation  is  effected  by  the 
sash  over  the  end  doors,  and  also  by  ventilators  placed 
along  the  ridge  board. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


103 


104 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


Fig.  40  is  the  ground  plan.  At  the  north  end  a 
small  room  is  partitioned  off  for  a  boiler  pit.  On  one 
side  is  a  chest  of  drawers  for  seeds,  &c.,  and  on  the 
other  some  shelving.  In  connection  with  the  boiler 
pit  is  a  coal  bin,  not,  however,  of  very  large  capacity. 
The  house  is  heated  by  two  four- inch  pipes,  the  design 


FIG.  40.— Ground  Plan. 


being  not  to  work  the  house  very  early.  The  border 
is  entirely  inside  the  house,  and  is  composed  princi- 
pally of  sod,  muck,  and  gravel,  with  the  addition  of 
some  old  manure  and  bone  shavings.  The  vines  have 
done  well,  annually  ripening  a  fine  crop  of  fruit,  and 
the  house  has  in  all  respects  proved  to  be  satisfactory. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS  105 


DESIGN  No.  15. 

THIS  is  a  plan  of  a  range  of  houses  designed  and 
built  for  Joseph  Howland,  Esq.,  of  Matteawan,  N.  Y. 
It  is  a  large  and  imposing  structure,  befitting  the 
character  of  Mr.  Rowland's  ample  grounds.  It  stands 
at  the  north  end  of  the  kitchen  garden,  and  conceals 
it  from  the  dwelling,  from  which  the  range  is  in  full 
view.  A  part  of  the  structure  on  the  right,  used  as  a 
green  house,  not  shown  in  ground  plan,  was  built 
some  four  or  five  years  ago  with  the  old  sliding  sash 
roof,  which  was  found  so  unsatisfactory  that  at  the 
time  of  the  erection  of  the  new  portion,  this  roof  was 
removed  and  replaced  with  a  curvilinear  fixed  roof  to 
correspond  with  the  rest. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  range  is  divided  into 
two  parts  by  a  road- way.  The  design  of  this  was  to 
enable  the  family  to  visit  the  houses  at  any  time 
in  the  carriage  without  exposure  to  the  weather, 
and  enjoy  the  fruits,  flowers,  and  temperature  of 
tropical  climates,  without  the  necessity  of  leaving 
their  homes. 

The  north  side  of  the  middle  houses  is  covered  with 
boards  and  battened.  End  ventilation  being  im- 
practicable here,  top  ventilation  is  increased  so  as  to 
meet  all  requirements 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


107 


108  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES 

Piy.  41  is  the  ground  plan.  On  the  right  id  the  old 
green  house,  a  portion  of  the  foundation  of  which  is 
shown.  This  communicates  with  the  hot  grapery  and 
tool  house,  under  which  is  a  capacious  root  cellar. 
From  the  covered  road-way,  all  the  parts  of  this  ex- 
tensive range  are  easily  accessible.  Across  the  road- 
way, between  the  houses,,  is  a  handsome  double  gate, 
a  sketch  of  which  is  given  in  Fig.  42. 

Crossing  the  road-way,  we  enter  the  cold  grapery. 
The  foundation  of  this  rests  on  piers,  tbe  border  being 
outside.  There  are  hot-water  pipes  in  this  compart- 
ment, to  be  used  only  to  keep  out  frost.  It  may? 
however,  be  used  as  a  "second"  hot  grapery.  Pass- 
ing out  of  the  cold  grapery,  we  enter  what  may  be 
called  the  conservatory,  its  principal  use  being  for  the 
show  of  ornamental  plants;  and  to  this  end  it  has 
several  accessories  which  add  much  to  its  beauty. 
One  of  these  which  may  be  noticed  is  a  neat  fountain 
in  the  centre;  always  a  pretty  leature  wherever  it  can 
be  introduced.  Another  is  a  rustic  niche  or  alcove  ia 
the  north  wall,  built  of  rough  stones,  over  and 
through  which  the  water  constantly  trickles  into  a 
basin.  Its  full  beauty  will  not  be  seen  till  it  has  ac- 
quired age,  and  become  covered  with  mosses  and  ferns. 
Fortunately  for  the  plants  and  for  good  taste,  there 
is  no  shelving  in  this  hou.-e.  Beds  are  formed  of 
brick,  with  a  neat  coping,  in  which  the  pots  are  ppt. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


109 


110  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

This  arrangement  is  much  more  effective  than  any 
manner  of  staging  could  possibly  be. 

In  order  to  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  interior 
of  this  apartment,  we  have  prepared  a  perspective 
view  of  it.  (See  Fig.  43.)  From  this  a  good  concep- 
tion can  be  formed  of  the  appearance  and  arrange- 
ment of  the  beds,  fountain,  &c. 

Keturning  through  the  cold  grapery,  we  have  on  its 
north  side  a  boiler  and  potting  room.  The  boiler  pit 
is  sunk  beneath  the  floor  of  this  room,  and  has  con- 
nected with  it  a  coal  bin  and  shoot.  Communicating 
with  the  potting-room  is  a  propagating  room,  in  the 
north  end  of  the  conservatory,  and  divided  from  it  by 
a  solid  partition.  It  is  provided  with  hot-water 
pipes  for  furnishing  bottom  heat.  It  will  propagate 
all  the  bedding  and  other  plants  needed  on  the  place. 
It  will  thus  be  seen  that  there  are  ample  facilities  for 
furnishing  an  abundant  supply  of  grapes  and  flowers. 
The  house,  as  a  whole,  forms  a  marked  feature  of  the 
grounds. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  Ill 


DESIGN  No.  16. 

The  following  design  was  prepared  for  Dr.  Butler, 
of  the  Ketreat  for  the  Insane  at  Hartford,  Conn. 
The  doctor  had  conceived  the  idea  that  a  green-house 
might  be  made  to  serve  a  very  important  part  in  the 
treatment  of  the  insane,  having  noticed  the  soothing 
influence  of  plants  upon  his  patients,  more  especially 
the  females.  We  have  no  doubt  that  his  anticipations 
will  be  fully  realized;  for  we  can  scarcely  conceive  of 
anything  better  calculated  to  heal  the  "  mind  dis- 
eased/' than  daily  intercourse  with  these  voiceless, 
but  gladsome  children  of  Nature. 

Fig.  44  is  a  perspective  view  of  the  house.  It  is 
twenty-four  feet  wide  and  seventy- five  long.  It  has 
a  Iow7  curved  roof,  and  side  sashes  three  feet  six 
inches  high.  We  do  not  make  these  roofs  low  for  the 
sake  of  architectural  effect,  though  this  point  is  cer- 
tainly gained;  but  rather  for  the  sake  of  the  plants,  a 
low  roof,  in  this  respect,  possessing  incalculable  ad- 
vantages over  one  that  is  steep.  When  attention  is 
once  generally  fixed  on  this  point,  plant  growers  will 
not  be  slow  to  acknowledge  the  superiority  of  the  low 
roof.  It  has  often  surprised  us  that  gardeners  will 
assume  a  great  deal  of  unnecessary  labor  for  the  sake 
of  an  old  prejudice.  Some  of  them  are  slow  to  avail 


112 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


(       ! 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


113 


114  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

themselves  of  improvements  that  not  only  lessen 
their  toils,  but  bring  greater  certainty  and  pleasure  to 
the  pursuit  of  their  profession.  Others,  again,  are 
quick  enough  to  avail  themselves  of  every  facility 
brought  within  their  reach.  We  could  wish  that  the 
latter  class  might  multiply  rapidly. 

One  of  the  prettiest  features  about  this  house  is  its 
rounded  ends.  The  pitch  of  the  roof  and  the  width 
of  the  house  are  such,  taken  in  connection  with  the 
circular  ends,  that  all  the  lines  flow  into  each  other 
with  the  utmost  harmony.  These  different  parts 
were  studied  with  reference  to  producing  this  result, 
and  we  think  it  has  been  done  with  some  degree  of 
success.  The  finials,  the  ornament  along  the  ridge, 
and  the  entrance  door,  are  all  in  keeping  with  the  rest 
of  the  structure. 

Fig.  45  is  the  ground  plan.  This  presents  some 
peculiarities.  The  house  being  designed  for  the  use 
of  the  insane,  it  was  desirable  to  place  the  heating 
apparatus  out  of  their  reach;  the  boiler  is  therefore 
placed  under  ground.  For  this  purpose  a  vault  of 
sufficient  size  to  hold  the  boiler  and  several  tons  of 
coal,  is  built  under  ground  in  front  of  the  house.  It 
is  substantially  built  of  brick,  and  arched  over.  The 
smoke  shaft  is  carried  up  through  the  roof,  and 
finished  above  ground  in  the  form  of  a  column  or 
pedestal,  surmounted  with  a  vase,  as  seen  in  Fig.  44. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  1  '.  5 

To  harmonize  the  grounds,  and  conceal  the  purpose 
of  this  column,  another  is  placed  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  path.  In  summer,  these  vases  will  be  filled 
with  plants,  and  the  columns  are  intended  to  be  cov- 
ered with  vines,  thus  making  them  subserve  an  orna- 
mental purpose.  There  are  two  entrances  to  the 
boiler  vault,  one  from  within  by  a  concealed  trap-door, 
and  the  other  from  without.  The  house  will  be 
heated  by  hot  water  pipes. 

There  will  be  neither  shelves  nor  tables  in  the  house. 
The  plants  will  be  set  either  on  or  in  the  ground,  and 
the  whole  interior  made  to  resemble  as  much  as  pos- 
sible a  flower  garden.  The  plants  will  thus  be  easier 
seen,  better  enjoyed,  and  more  appreciated  than  if 
placed  either  on  tables  or  staging.  In  any  well- 
designed  house,  the  plants  look  and  grow  infinitely 
better  upon  flat  tables  ;  and  a  large  class  of  plants 
will  grow  even  better  upon  the  earthen  fljor  of  the 
house. 


DESIGN  No.  17. 

OUR  next  example  is  a  lean-to  grapery  for  early 
forcing.  It  was  designed  for  a  gentleman  in  Connect- 
icut, and  we  believe  has  since  been  built. 


1J6 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


117 


US  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

Fig.  46  is  a  perspective  view.  It  runs  east  and 
west,  and  is  designed  to  correspond  in  a  measure  with 
another  house  on  the  place,  though  the  roof  of  this 
is  much  flatter.  There  are  no  side  lights.  Ventila- 
tion is  effected  by  openings  along  the  ridge,  and  by 
the  sashes  over  the  doors,  which  are  hung  for  the 
purpose.  The  roof  is  continuous.,  and  both  ends  of 
the  house-  are  glazed. 


FIG.   48. — Section. 

Fig.  47  is  the  ground  plan.  The  sills  of  the  front 
or  glass  part  rest  on  brick  piers,  to  allow  the  roots  of 
the  vines  to  run  out,  the  border  being  both  in  and 
outside  the  house.  A  wooden  partition  on  the  north 
side  of  the  walk  divides  the  house  into  two  unequal 
parts,  the  north  being  used  for  a  potting  shed,  tool 
house,  etc.  This  apartment  is  furnished  with  tables, 
etc.,  and  is  well  lighted  by  windows  at  the  side  and 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  1  J  3 

ends.  A  water  tank  is  conveniently  placed  in  the 
middle.  In  the  northwest  corner  is  the  boiler  pit. 
This  is  sufficiently  large  to  hold  coal,  and  is  furnished 
with  a  shoot  for  throwing  it  down.  The  grapery  is  to 
be  heated  by  four  rows  of  pipes,  the  object  being  to 
force  early. 

Fig.  48  is  a  section,  showing  the  arrangement  of 
pipes,  walk,  etc. 


DESIGN  No.  18. 

PLANT  houses  having  a  specific  object  in  view,  it  is 
not  possible  to  indulge  in  a  great  variety  of  forms 
without  sacrificing  their  utility,  or  creating  a  great 
deal  of  room  that  can  not  be  applied  to  any  useful 
purpose  whatever.  In  this  respect  they  differ  in  a 
marked  manner  from  dwelling-houses,  which  allow 
of  great  latitude  in  design  and  construction.  That 
some  degree  of  picturesqueness,  however,  is  consistent 
with  utility,  we  think  will  be  apparent  on  examining 
the  design  herewith  presented.  The  plan  was  made 
for  H.  B  Hurlbut,  Esq.,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio.  It  is 
intended  for  a  green-house  and.  hot-house  combined. 
It  is  located  near  the  dwelling  and  in  sight  of  the 
public  highway.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  cross. 


120 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


121 


122 

Fiy.  49  is  a  perspective  view,  as  seen  from  tli* 
street.  The  porch  or  front  entrance  is  ornamental, 
but  with  an  entire  absence  of  heavy  wood  woik. 
The  finials  and  crest  along  the  ridge  are  light,  and 
harmonize  with  the  general  design.  The  valleys  and 
angles  break  up  the  structure  in  a  very  pleasing  and 
effective  manner,  and  the  elevation,  as  a  whole,  is  one 
that  will  arrest  attention. 


FIG.  51. — Section. 

Fig.  50  is  the  ground  plan.  Directly  opposite  the 
front  entrance  is  a  fountain.  There  are  two  centre 
tables  for  plants,  also  others  around  the  sides  of  the 
house,  not  shown  in  the  plan.  This  apartment  will 
be  used  principally  for  plants  in  bloom.  The  other 
apartment  which  will  be  kept  at  a  higher  temperature, 
for  the  purpose  of  forcing  plants  into  flower.  At  the 
end,  on  the  right-hand  side,  is  the  boiler-pit,  which  is 
partitioned  off.  It  is  large  enough  to  hold  two  or 
three  tons  of  ooal.  There  is  a  coal-shoot  on  the  out- 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  123 

side.  On  the  left  is  the  pot  ting-room.  This  will  be 
fitted  up  with  a  writing  desk,  and  shelves  and  drawers 
fur  books,  seeds,  etc.  Every  other  side-sash  is  hung 
at  the  bottom  for  ventilation.  There  are  also  ventila- 
tors on  the  top,  and  over  the  doors.  Fig.  51  is  a  sec- 
tional view  of  the  house. 

There  is  scarcely  any  part  of  this  structure  that 
does  not,  at  some  time  during  the  day,  receive  a  por- 
tion of  the  sun's  rays  ;  some  more,  some  less.  A  lit- 
tle judgment,  therefore,  on  the  part  of  the  gardener 
who  has  charge  of  the  place,  will  enable  him  to  grow 
well  a  large  variety  of  plants. 


DESIGN  No.  19. 

THIS  design  is  of  a  plant-house  of  larger  dimensions 
than  any  we  have  heretofore  given  Its  form  was 
determined  by  its  location.  Fig.  52  is  a  perspective. 

The  principal  building  runs  east  and  west.  This  is 
divided  by  a  brick  wall  into  two  unequal  parts, 
that  facing  the  south  being  the  largest.  On  the 
north  side  we  have  first,  at  the  west  end,  a  small 
Camellia  house.  It  would  be  also  adapted  to 
Orchids,  Caladiums,  Begonias,  Ferns,  and  all  plants 
requiring  partial  shade.  Next  we  have  a  moderate 


124 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


125 


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126  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

sized  bed-room  for  the  man  who  attends  to  the 
boilers,  one  of  which  is  in  the  next  room.  These 
two  rooms  are  covered  with  boards  bent  to  the  curve 
of  the  roof  and  battened  instead  of  glass.  On  the 
south  of  these  three  rooms  is  a  hot  grapery,  to  be  used 
as  a  "  second  "  house.  Next,  on  the  east,  is  a  house 
designated  "Forcing  House"  in  the  plan.  (See  Fig. 
53.)  It  should  be  "  Hot  House,"  as  this  room  is  not 
adapted  to  forcing  purposes.  It  is  intended  for  plants 
that  require  a  high  temperature  to  keep  them  in  good 
health.  East  of  this  is  a  room,  or  a  "  potting  shed." 
Being  covered  with  glass,  it  is  well  adapted  to  grow- 
ing Mushrooms,  propagating  plants,  &c.,  all  the 
room  not  being  needed  for  potting  purposes.  By  the 
side  of  this  room  is  another  boiler  room,  and  on  the 
south  another  Hot  Grapery,  to  be  used  as  a  "first" 
house.  Then,  on  the  east  is  the  Cold  Grapery,  of 
goodly  dimensions.  Last  of  all  we  have  a  Greenhouse 
of  large  size  south  of  the  Hot-house.  Thus,  under 
one  roof,  we  have  all  that  is  needed  on  a  large  place. 
We  "do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  sa}Ting  that  it  is 
always  best  to  put  these  houses  in  this  particular 
shape  ;  but  where  money  is  no  particular  object,  and 
architectural  effect  is  sought  for,  this  form  gives  an 
opportunity  in  its  broken  outlines  for  considerable 
display. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  127 


DESIGN  No.  20. 

GREEN-HOUSES  and  Graperies  are  usually  erected 
as  separate  structures.  While  it  is  desirable  that 
they  should  be  so  on  extensive  places  where  much 
accommodation  is  required,  in  grounds  of  moderate 
extent  many  advantages  are  gained  by  having  the 
houses  connected.  Facility  for  heating  and  manage- 
ment, protection  of  those  houses  requiring  the  most 
heat,  by  those  kept  cold  or  at  only  moderate  tempera- 
ture, and  the  ease  with  which  all  departments  may  be 
visited  by  the  owner,  are  all  obtained  by  such  an 
arrangement.  In  the  present  instance  the  Green- 
house occupies  a  position  east  and  west,  and  is  pro- 
tected on  its  north  and  most  exposed  quarter  by  the 
Grapery.  The  boiler  located  as  shown  on  the  plan, 
supplies  heat  to  all  the  houses.  The  Grapery,  not 
being  intL-adeil  as  a  forcing  or  early  house,  has  but 
one  hot  water  pipe,  which  will  afford  sufficient  heat 
to  enable  the  vines  to  be  started  two  or  three  weeks 
earlier  in  the  spring,  or  if  not  desirable  to  anticipate* 
their  natural  growth,  will  prevent  them  receiving 
sullen  checks  from  frosty  nights,  which  sometimes 
happen  at  the  latter  end  of  April  and  beginning  of 
IT  iy,  after  the  vines  have  broken  their  buds.  We  can 
prolong  the  season  also,  until  about  Christmas,  in 


128  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

favorable  years.  Several  of  the  late  ripening,  and 
late  keeping  varieties  of  the  Grape,  are  intended  to 
be  grown.  Lady  Downes,  Barbarossa,  Frogmore  St. 
Peters  and  others.  These  by  the  addition  of  another 
pipe  and  proper  care  in  management,  could  be  kept 
on  the  vines  in  fine  condition  until  February,  and 
perhaps  March. 


FIG.  54. — Perspective. 


The  sill  or  wall  plate  of  the  Grapery,  is  but  two 
feet  above  the  border  ;  thus  giving  nearly  the  whole 
length  of  cane  for  fruiting  upon  the  rafter.  Sida 
lights  are  dispensed  with,  bottom  ventilation  being 
afforded  by  apertures  through  the  brick  wall,  closed 
by  shutters.  The  wall  is  supported  on  stone  lintels, 

t 

resting  on  brick  piers  placed  about  five  feet  apart, 
extending  to  the  bottom  of  the  border,  allowing  free 
access  for  the  vine  roots  to  the  outside.  Ventilation 
at  the  top  is  effected  by  means  of  sashes,  hung  in  the 
roof  at  the  ridge,  which  are  raised  and  lowered  by  an 
iron  shaft  running  the  length  of  the  building,  with 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  129 

elbow  attachments  at  each  ventilator.  A  cord  and 
lever  at  one  end,  works  the  shaft,  raising  the  whole 
of  the  ventilators  at  one  operation.  This  is  by  far 
the  best  method  of  ventilation,  but  more  expensive 
than  that  generally  used.  It  is  strong,  effective, 
rarely  requires  repair,  and  the  sashes  are  never  in 
danger  of  being  blown  open  and  broken  by  high  winds. 
The  floor  level  of  the  Green-house  is  two  feet  below 


GRAPERY 

*OX20.  '  CR-1EM  HOUSE 

20X22 


CREEN   HOUSE' 
186X20 


FIG.  55. — Ground  Plan. 

that  of  the  Grapery,  in  order  that  there  may  be  suffi- 
cient height  at  the  sides,  to  place  plants  on  the  tables, 
and  bring  them  near  the  glass.  General  collections 
of  plants  cannot  well  be  grown  in  one  house  ;  for  this 
reason,  we  have  the  house  divided  by  a  glass  partition. 
By  an  arrangement  of  valves  in  the  hot  water  pipes, 
and  independent  ventilation,  a  different  temperature 
can  be  maintained  in  each.  Plants  requiring  a  con- 
siderable degree  of  heat  will  find  a  congenial  location 

6* 


130  WOODWARD'S  GRAPEIUES  AND 

in  the  central  house,  while  those  in  bloom,  and  others 
to  which  a  cooler  atmosphere  is  more  suitable,  will  be 
placed  at  the  circular  end  of  the  building. 

Three  rows  of  heating  pipe  run  around  the  Green- 
'  louses,  which  will  give  ample  heat  in  the  coldest 
vveather.  A  propagating  table  is  provided  by  enclosing 
a  portion  of  the  pipes  in  the  central  house.  Beneath 
the  floor  is  a  cistern  of  3,000  gallons  capacity,  from 
which  tanks  holding  100  gallons  each  are  supplied  by 
pumps.  The  Green-houses  are  entered  through  .  a 
door  and  porch  on  the  south,  not  shown  in  the  en- 
graving, also  through  potting  room  and  Grapery. 
The  design  of  these  houses  gives  an  opportunity  for 
further  addition  if  desired,  by  a  wing  on  the  south, 
corresponding  with  the  Grapery  on  the  north.  Such 
an  extension  would  improve  the  architectural  appear- 
ance of  the  whole.  An  early  Grapery  might  be  thus 
located  and  be  heated  from  the  same  boiler.  These 
houses,  lately  designed  and  erected  by  us  for  John 
L.  Kogers,  Esq.,  of  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  form  a  pictur- 
esque and  attractive  feature  in  his  well  kept  grounds, 
and  will  no  doubt  be  a  source  of  much  enjoyment  to 
tneii  owner. 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS  131 


ORCHARD   HOUSES. 

GLASS-HOUSES  devoted  exclusively  to  the  cultivation 
of  such  fruits  as  are  usually  found  in  our  orchards 
and  gardens,  would  seem  to  he  hardly  necessary 
erections  in  our  climate,  with  its  bright  and  genial 
sunshine.  But  we  must  call  to  mind  the  almost  total 
failure  of  the  peach  crop  for  several  years  past,  on 
account  of  the  severity  of  the  winter  frost,  in  sections 
of  the  country  where  this  fruit  was  formerly  cultivated 
with  the  greatest  success,  and  ripened  in  the  fullest 
abundance  and  perfection.  We  cannot  forget,  also, 
that  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  prevent  the  attacks 
of  the  curculio  upon  our  smooth-skinned  fruits, — the 
Nectarine,  Apricot  and  Plum — and  the  vast  amount 
of  vigilance  and  care  required  to  counteract  the  inva- 
sions of  the  various  other  insect  pests  which  visit  us, 
and  to  obtain  even  a  moderate  crop,  in  many  localities, 
out  of  doors.  And  we  must  be  willing  to  concede 
that  the  certain  means  of  securing  even  a  limited 
supply  of  these  delicious  fruits,  is  worthy  of  our 
careful  consideration. 

Well  managed  Orchard  houses  will  give  us,  without 
doubt  or  failure,  the  Peach,  the  Apricot,  the  Necta- 
rine, the  Plum,  the  Fig,  and  many  other  fruits  in 
great  perfection.  With  the  addition  of  fire  heat  these 


132  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

may  be  forced,  and  the  fruit  obtained  much  in  advance 
of  its  natural  season. 

In  England,  houses  for  the  growth  of  these  fruits, 
which  will  generally  not  ripen  in  the  open  air  of  that 
climate,  have  been  in  successful  use  for  a  number  of 
years.  In  these  houses  the  trees  are  planted  in  pre- 
pared borders,  which  gives  the  roots  liberty  to  ramble 
at  will.  The  fruit  thus  produced  is  very  beautiful  in 
appearance,  and  if  abundant  ventilation  is  supplied, 
at  the  proper  season,  it  is  of  tolerable  flavor.  The 
great  difficulty  in  this  mode  of  culture,  seems  to  be  in 
not  being  able  to  furnish  adequate  ventilation  to  the 
house  at  the  period  of  ripening,  to  enable  the  fruit  to 
acquire  its  full  flavor  and  perfection  of  delicacy  and 
richness.  Another  difficulty  is  the  over  vigorous 
growth  of  the  trees,  and  the  care  required  to  restrain 
them  within  proper  bounds. 

An  impetus  was  given  to  the  erection  of  Orchard 
houses  in  England,  by  Mr.  Rivers,  the  celebrated 
nurseryman  and  fruit  grower,  by  the  publication  of 
his  little  work  on  the  subject  of  Orchard  houses,  in 
which  he  advocated  the  growth  of  trees  in  pots.  By 
this  system  of  pot  culture,  we  are  enabled  to  remove 
the  trees  when  the  fruit  begins  to  color,  and  thus  to 
ripen  and  perfect  it  in  the  open  air.  The  over-growth 
of  wood  is  also  restrained  in  this  system  of  culture,  the 
trees  being  easily  managed  and  controlled.  Great 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS.  133 

success  has,  in  many  instances,  attended  this  mode 
of  culture  in  this  country.  Although  it  is  but  a  few 
years  since  experiments  were  commenced  here,  some 
of  our  fruit  growers  have  acquired  such  skill  and  ex- 
perience, as  to  enable  them  to  realize  considerable 
profits  from  their  investments  in  a  money  point  of 
view,  besides  demonstrating  the  practicability  of  the 
system. 

The  majority  of  houses  erected  for  this  purpose 
among  us,  have  been  of  the  cheapest  possible  descrip- 
tion. While  the  culture  was  merely  experimental, 
this  was  all  well  enough  ;  but  now  that  the  Orchard 
house  has  taken  its  place  among  other  Horticultural 
structures,  the  same  arguments  we  have  urged  against 
cheap  Graperies  will  apply  with  equal  force  to  this 
class  of  buildings. 

The  principal  differences  between  the  plans  for 
Orchard  houses  and  Graperies  are,  first,  the  somewhat 
lower  roof  of  the  former,  that  the  pots  containing  the 
trees  may  stand  upon  the  earth  floor  or  border,  while 
the  foliage  may  be  brought  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
a  ;  and  secondly,  the  very  ample  ventilation  re- 
quired by  the  trees,  at  certain  periods  of  their  growth, 
and  in  completing  the  "hardening  off"  process  of  the 
wood,  and  leaves  if  the  trees  are  to  be  removed  to 
the  open  air. 

Fruit  trees  are  frequently  grown  in  pots  in  Graperies. 


134  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES 

After  the  vines  have  expanded  their  leaves  maturely, 
and  obstructed  the  light,  it  becomes  necessary  to 
remove  the  trees  to  the  open  air.  The  leaves  arid 
new  grown  wood  being  very  tender,  the  abrupt  change 
to  a  different  climate  is  too  great,  and  they  suffer  in 
consequence.  In  a  well  constructed  Orchard  house, 
the  means  of  ventilation  should  be  so  ample  that  the 
trees  may  be  gradually  inured  to  the  change  ;  or  if  it 
is  desirable  to  let  the  trees  remain  within  the  house 
through  the  summer,  the  access  of  the  air  must  be  so 
abundant  as  to  give  as  nearly  as  possible  that  flavor 
to  the  fruit  which  it  would  acquire  if  fully  exposed. 

Fig.  56  is  a  perspective  view  of  a  "lean-to"  Orchard 
house,  erected  some  years  since  by  J.  S.  Levering,  Esq. 
of  which  the  following  description  has  been  furnished 
to  us : 

<:  Mr.  Lovering's  Orchard  House  is  165  feet  long  by 
14  wide,  is  a  lean-to,  points  south,  under  shelter  of  a 
«hill.  Back  wall  12  feet  high,  8  feet  stone  work  ;  on  top 
of  wall  4  feet  of  wood,  in  which  the  back  row  of  venti- 
lators (2  feet  by  20  inches)  work,  hung  on  rollers,  and 
all  opened  and  closed  simultaneously  by  means  of  a 
wire  representing  a  front  door  pull.  Front  wall  4  feet 
high,  made  by  nailing  plowed  and  grooved  planks  to 
locust  posts,  in  which  are  cut  the  front  ventilators, 
4  feet  8  inches  long  by  18  inches  de°]>,  and  covered  by 
a  screen  of  gauze  wire  with  board  bhutters  to  close 


HORTICULTURAL   BUILDINGS. 


135 


j.36  WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 

tight.  The  roof  is  made  of  16  feet  rafters,  on  which 
rests  8  foot  sash,  immovable ;  the  glass  is  first  quality, 
8  by  10.  A  single  row  of  supporters  on  one  side  of 
the  wall  completes  the  roof.  The  interior  is  divided 
into  three  borders  :  the  front  border  (3  feet  6  inches 
wide)  is  raised  9  inches  above  the  walk  (which  is 
2  feet  6  inches  wide);  the  first  back  border  is  3  feet 
wide,  and  raised  16  inches  above  the  walk ;  the  second 
back  border  is  raised  1  foot  above  the  front  one,  and 
is  4  feet  wide.  On  this  further  back  border  are  placed 
the  largest  trees  only,  having  the  most  head  room — 
the  smallest  pots  standing  on  the  front.  The  appear- 
ance of  the  house,  when  seen  by  the  writer  on  the  7th 
of  April,  1860,  was  truly  magnificent,  being  one 
dense  mass  of  bloom,  (except  some  of  the  early  kinds, 
on  which  the  fruit  was  already  set,)  resembling  a 
green-house  of  Azaleas  in  full  flower.  Peaches, 
apricots,  nectarines,  plums  and  figs  are  embraced  in 
the  assortment,  and  are  grown  principally  in  11-inch 
pots  placed  about  three  feet  apart,  every  leaf  being 
fully  exposed  to  the  sunlight — vines  being,  of  course, 
entirely  prohibited. 

Of  the  success  of  this  mode  of  culture  in  America, 
no  one  who  has  witnessed  Mr.  Lovering's  house  can 
have  the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  With  him  it  is  no  new 
experiment,  having  fruited  pot  trees  in  his  cold  grape- 
ries for  several  years." 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS. 


137 


Fig.  57  is  a  section  of  a  "  lean-to"  form  of  house, 
showing  arrangement  of  trees  and  sunken  walk  to  give 
sufficient  head  room. 

Fig.  58  represents  perspective  view  of  a  span- 
roofed  house,  in  which  ventilation  is  effected  at  the 
bottom  and  very  freely  at  the  ends.  No  ventilators 
are  placed  in  the  roof  as  they  were  not  in  this  case 
deemed  necessary. 


\j 

FIG.  57. — Section 


Fig.  59  gives  a  view  of  the  interior  of  the  span-roofed 
house,  in  which  are  shown  the  pots  containing  the 
trees.  The  span-roofed  house  we  consider  better 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  Orchard  fruit  than  the 
"  loan-to"  form,  except  where  it  is  desired  to  force  the 
fruit  in  advance  o  its  season,  in  which  case  the  lean- 
to  possesses  the  advantages  o  better  protection,  and 
of  being  more  easily  heated  from  the  smaller  area  of 


138 


WOODWARD'S  GRAPERIES  AND 


HORTICULTURAL    BUILDINGS 


139 


glass  exposed  to  radiation.  These  designs  are  of 
houses  of  a  cheap  clasc,  such  as  might  be  erected  for 
inertly  experimental  purposes. 

\Ve  consider  the  successful  cultivation  of  Orchard 
fruit  under  glass,  to  be  a  fact  so  well  settled,  that  we 
should  advise  substantial  structures  to  be  erected  at 


FIG.  59. — Interior  View. 


the  outset.  Some  of  our  numerous  designs  for 
Draperies,  both  of  the  curvilinear  and  straight  roofed 
f..rm,  would,  with  slight  alteration  in  adding  to  the 
sueaus  of  ventilation,  be  well  adapted  to  this  purpose. 
This  is  especially  the  case  with  designs  numbered  7, 
8,  and  14. 


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